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ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effect of cassava peel-based supplement on biogas production from maize straw. The results showed that the addition of cassava peel-based supplement significantly increased biogas production, with a maximum production of 12 L/d at an optimal mixture ratio of 80:20 (maize straw:cassava peel). The supplement also improved the methane content and production rate of biogas. The study concludes that cassava peel-based supplement is a viable option for improving biogas production from maize straw, and recommends its use in rural areas where access to energy is limited. The findings of this study contribute to the development of sustainable energy solutions and waste management strategies.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Maize straw and cassava peel are abundant agricultural waste materials in Nigeria that have the potential to be utilized as a renewable energy source through in-vitro gas fermentation (Ofoefule et al., 2020). Nigeria is the largest producer of maize in West Africa, with an estimated annual production of 10 million metric tons (FAO, 2020). Similarly, cassava is a major crop in Nigeria, with an estimated annual production of 59 million metric tons (FAO, 2020). The large quantities of maize straw and cassava peel generated as waste from these crops pose significant environmental and disposal challenges (Ofoefule et al., 2020).

However, these waste materials have the potential to be converted into valuable products such as biogas, bioethanol, and bio-oil through various conversion technologies (Adelekan et al., 2020). In-vitro gas fermentation is one such technology that has gained significant attention in recent years due to its potential to produce biogas from lignocellulosic biomass (Kumar et al., 2020). Biogas is a renewable energy source that can be used as a substitute for fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change (IPCC, 2020).

Despite the potential of maize straw and cassava peel as a renewable energy source, their utilization is limited due to their low nutritional value and poor digestibility (Ofoefule et al., 2020). Maize straw is characterized by its high lignin content, which makes it recalcitrant to microbial degradation (Kumar et al., 2020). Cassava peel, on the other hand, is high in fiber and low in nutrients, making it a poor substrate for biogas production (Adelekan et al., 2020). Therefore, there is a need to develop strategies to enhance the digestibility and nutritional value of these waste materials to improve their potential for biogas production.

Several studies have investigated the use of various pretreatment methods to improve the digestibility of lignocellulosic biomass (Kumar et al., 2020). These methods include physical, chemical, and biological pretreatments, which can break down the lignin and hemicellulose in the biomass, making it more accessible to microorganisms (Kumar et al., 2020). However, these pretreatment methods can be expensive and energy-intensive, making them less feasible for large-scale biogas production (Adelekan et al., 2020).

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of supplements to enhance the biogas production from lignocellulosic biomass (Ofoefule et al., 2020). Supplements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium can enhance the nutritional value of the biomass, making it more suitable for biogas production (Adelekan et al., 2020). Cassava peel-based supplement is one such supplement that has shown promise in enhancing biogas production from maize straw (Ofoefule et al., 2020).

Cassava peel-based supplement is a mixture of cassava peel and other nutrients that can enhance the biogas production from maize straw (Ofoefule et al., 2020). Cassava peel is rich in starch, which can be converted into simple sugars that can