Evaluation of Prosopis juliflora for Bioethanol Production: Thermogravimetric Analysis and Structural Composition

Clara Rodrigues Pereira; Carine Tondo Alves; Yuri Uriel Cerqueira Gil Braz Moreira; Geise Camila de Araujo Ribeiro; Tatiana Oliveira do Vale; Lilian Lefol Nani Guarieiro

doi:10.34178/jbth.v8i4.514

Clara Rodrigues Pereira
Carine Tondo Alves
Yuri Uriel Cerqueira Gil Braz Moreira
Geise Camila de Araujo Ribeiro
Tatiana Oliveira do Vale
Lilian Lefol Nani Guarieiro

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34178/jbth.v8i4.514

Keywords: Prosopis juliflora, Biomass, Energy Viability

Abstract

Prosopis juliflora (P. juliflora), known as Algaroba, presents great potential for bioethanol production due to its cellulose- and hemicellulose-rich composition. This study analyzed its biomass through thermogravimetric techniques and structural characterization to assess its energy viability. Samples of woody stem, stem bark, and pods were subjected to thermal and chemical composition analyses, which identified different thermal degradation profiles and structural carbohydrate contents. Results indicated that stem bark presented the highest levels of glucose and cellulose, while lignin showed significant concentration, suggesting the need for pretreatments to optimize bioenergy conversion. Thus, P. juliflora demonstrates potential as a feedstock for biofuels, provided that challenges related to lignin and economic feasibility are overcome.