Compositional analysis and characterization of lignocellulosic biomass from selected agricultural wastes

Agricultural wastes have been identified as a potential lignocellulosic biomass for bioethanol production. An accurate biomass characterization is needed to evaluate the new potential lignocelluloses biosource for biofuel production. This study evaluates the compositional analysis and characterization of three agricultural wastes (melon husk, moringa pod and mango endocarp). The samples were collected locally in Sheda Village, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria. The lignocellulose biomass composition of the samples was determined by using a proven economically viable gravimetric method and the samples were further characterized using the FTIR. The results showed that a significant amount of hemicelluloses content was found, from 19.38% to 27.74% and the highest amount was present in melon musk. The amount of cellulose ranging from 22.49% to 45.84% was found where the highest amount was found in mango endocarp. Lignin content was in the range of 22.62% to 29.87% and melon husk was shown to have the highest amount. The FTIR spectroscopic analysis showed a broad band at 3422.99 cm-1, 3422.66 cm-1, 3422.85 cm-1 (for mango endocarp, melon husk and moringa pod respectively) representing bonded –OH groups. The peak around 1637 cm-1 corresponds to C=C stretching of conjugated carboxylic acids. The aliphatic chains, -CH2- and –CH3, which form the basic structure of cellulose material, were seen at 1205.72, 1204.50 and 1206.24 cm-1. The signals at 1056.15, 1035.80 and 1055.86 cm-1 correspond to C-O-R (alcohols or esters) vibration. The results show that the samples contain significant quantity of lignocellulosic biomass. Thus, the agricultural wastes could be of valuable use in biofuel production.