A Comparative Analysis on Bioethanol production from degradation of Glutinous Rice Straw and Soybean Hull using Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

The Philippines, as a predominantly agricultural country and a leading exporter of agricultural products in Southeast Asia, generates significant agricultural waste each harvest season. Most of these wastes are straws and hulls, which are usually burned, decomposed, and dumped. This presents an opportunity to repurpose these wastes through bioethanol production that can be used in various applications such as in vehicle engines, energy generation, and as an effective industrial solvent. However, the potential of bioethanol from degraded glutinous rice straw and soybean hull using Colletotrichum gloeosporioides has not yet been explored. Therefore, this study will evaluate the use of the said fungal plant pathogen, causing leaf rot extracted from mango leaves to convert the agricultural wastes into bioethanol and determine which material produces the higher yield. Both the collected glutinous rice straw and soybean hull will be sun-dried and granulated before Colletotrichum gloeosporioides will be introduced to accelerate their biodegradability and to increase their sugar yields in preparation for simultaneous hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF). The collected mixture from SHF will then be distilled to isolate bioethanol yield from the raw materials. The findings of this study will demonstrate the potential for sustainable bioethanol production using local agricultural residues. The application of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides for degradation will offer an eco-friendly and cost-efficient alternative to traditional methods. These results will support the country’s renewable energy objectives and contribute to environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the study will encourage further exploration of microbial-based renewable energy technologies, highlighting their promising future for bioethanol production.