Proximate Analysis and Bioethanol Production Potential of Neem Leaves (Azadirachta indica)

Abstract

This paper was aimed at investigating the potential of Neem tree (Azadirachta indica) leaves as feedstock for bioethanol production. Dried powdered leaves of Neem tree were hydrolyzed using different concentration of H₂SO₄ and levels of inoculums (Bacillus firmus). The hydrolyzed samples were fermented using yeast (Sacchromyces cerevisiae) and cultured bacteria (Bacillus firmus) respectively. The quantity of bioethanol generated after distillation was determined using U.V Spectroscopy. The amount of bioethanol produced from the leaves using 10%, 5% and 2% H₂SO₄ and 2.0 ml, 1.5 ml 1.0 ml of inoculums levels (Bacillus firmus) were 3.30%, 6.52%, 5.34%, 1.72% 1.85% and 1.42% respectively. The bioethanol obtained was subjected to FTIR Spectroscopy, and the samples showed strong broad peak at 3450 cm^-1 – 2850 cm^-1 indicating the presence of exchangeable protons, typically of aliphatic alcohol. This showed that Neem tree leaves contains some appreciable percentage of sugar that can be fermented into ethanol.