Bekti Palupi, Nadia Ayumna Fa’iqoh, Alifia Rahma Putri Neysella, Boy Arief Fachri, Ditta Kharisma Yolanda Putri, Lukman Nulhakim, Maulida Septiyana

Microwave Assisted Hydrolysis Ulva sp. Using HCl for the Production of Bioethanol Raw Materials

Introduction

Microwave assisted hydrolysis ulva sp. Using hcl for the production of bioethanol raw materials. Discover optimal conditions for microwave-assisted HCl hydrolysis of Ulva sp. to produce bioethanol raw materials. Yielded 20.751 mg/mL reducing sugar, aiding sustainable energy in Indonesia.

Abstract

The challenges faced by the Indonesian state are increasing greenhouse gases, climate change, and depleting fossil fuel reserves. This requires the exploration of alternative energy that is environmentally friendly and sustainable. Algae biomass, especially Ulva sp. is one of the resources that have the potential for bioethanol production as an alternative energy producer. The purpose of this study is to determine the potential of Ulva sp. as raw material for bioethanol and to determine the effect of particle size, solvent concentration, and power on the hydrolysis process. This study used Ulva sp. as raw material. hydrolyzed with HCl solvent using the microwave assisted hydrolysis method. Hydrolysis with HCl concentrations of 0.1 N, 1 N, 2 N, variations of microwave power 150 watts, 300 watts, 450 watts, and particle sizes of 60 mesh, 80 mesh, and 100 mesh. Measurement of reducing sugar levels was carried out using the dinitro salicylic acid (DNS) method. The results showed that the best conditions for hydrolysis were when the HCl concentration was 0.1 N, the microwave power was 450 watts, and the particle size was 80 mesh which resulted in a reducing sugar content of 20.751 mg/mL.

Review

This study addresses a critical challenge for Indonesia and globally, focusing on the exploration of sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative energy sources to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel depletion. The authors propose using *Ulva sp.* algae biomass as a promising raw material for bioethanol production. The primary objectives of the research were clearly defined: to assess the potential of *Ulva sp.* for bioethanol feedstock and to systematically investigate the impact of various parameters – namely particle size, HCl solvent concentration, and microwave power – on the hydrolysis process. The methodology involved microwave-assisted hydrolysis using HCl solvent, systematically testing a range of these variables, and quantifying reducing sugar levels via the DNS method, setting a clear scope for the investigation. A significant strength of this work lies in its systematic optimization approach, which is crucial for developing efficient biomass conversion processes. The study effectively demonstrates the utility of microwave-assisted hydrolysis for *Ulva sp.*, offering a potentially rapid and energy-efficient method for producing fermentable sugars. The identification of optimal conditions (0.1 N HCl, 450 watts microwave power, and 80 mesh particle size) yielding 20.751 mg/mL of reducing sugar provides valuable data for further process development. While the abstract successfully identifies optimal conditions for reducing sugar production, linking this directly to the broader "potential of *Ulva sp.* as raw material for bioethanol" would ideally involve an indication of the fermentability of these sugars or a comparative analysis with other established feedstocks. In conclusion, this research makes a pertinent contribution to the field of sustainable bioenergy, particularly in the context of utilizing readily available algal biomass. The successful optimization of hydrolysis parameters for *Ulva sp.* to achieve a substantial reducing sugar yield represents a crucial step towards its valorization for bioethanol production. Future research stemming from these promising results should ideally focus on the subsequent fermentation of the obtained hydrolysate to bioethanol, conducting a thorough mass balance, and exploring the techno-economic feasibility of the entire process to fully realize the potential of *Ulva sp.* as an alternative energy resource.

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