Open AccessAgronomic characterization of Taiwan grass [<i>Cenchrus purpureus</i> (Schumach.) Morrone] and evaluation of its potential to produce bioethanol in the warm sub-humid climate of Mexico
Author(s) -
Joel Ventura Ríos,
J. Amador Honorato-Salazar,
Flora Apolinar Hidalgo,
Iliana Barrera Martínez,
Jorge Aburto,
Humberto Vaquera-Huerta
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
tropical grasslands-forrajes tropicales
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.264
H-Index - 12
ISSN - 2346-3775
DOI - 10.17138/tgft(10)22-31
Subject(s) - biofuel , biomass (ecology) , carbon footprint , heat of combustion , dry matter , bioenergy , greenhouse gas , environmental science , yield (engineering) , zoology , agronomy , pulp and paper industry , biology , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , materials science , ecology , organic chemistry , metallurgy , combustion , engineering
The objective of this study was to evaluate the biomass production, chemical composition, proximate analysis, calorific value and theoretical yield of bioethanol of Taiwan grass under 6 cutting frequencies. The highest production of biomass (33 t DM/ha), cellulose content (41.3%), calorific value (17.5 MJ/kg DM) and potential bioethanol yield (7,936 L/ha) were recorded at a cutting frequency of 180 days. The highest moisture content of the dehydrated samples and ash and crude protein concentrations were observed at a harvest frequency of 30 days with 9.2, 12.1 and 10.5%, respectively. The highest concentrations of extractives were obtained at harvest frequencies of 60 and 120 days (13.9 and 13.7%, respectively), while lignin concentrations were greatest at harvest frequencies of 150 and 180 days (21.1 and 20.9%, respectively). The highest concentration of fixed carbon was observed at a harvest frequency of 90 days (18.5%), while the lowest concentration of volatile matter occurred at a harvest frequency of 30 days. The data indicate that Taiwan grass has significant potential for use to produce bioethanol but assessment of the carbon footprint, life cycle analysis, energy yield (energy produced:energy consumed) of the entire production process is needed to ensure there are positive effects on climate change and greenhouse gas emissions before this process is adopted.