Characterization and Potential Evaluation of Residues from the Sugarcane Industry of Rio Grande do Sul in Biorefinery Processes

Abstract

Brazil is the world largest producer of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) leading to a great generation of residues such as bagasse and straw, which represent two thirds of sugarcane energetic potential. Regarding these residues energetic potential, it is interesting to study their application in biorefi-nery processes. Thus, this work aimed at performing a chemical characterization of sugarcane straw and bagasse from RB867515 cultivar grown in Rio Grande do Sul-Brazil aiming at their use as feedstock in biorefinery processes. The obtained results were compared to data from other states and it was possible to conclude that edaphoclimatic conditions of Rio Grande do Sul have little influence in sugarcane residues chemical composition. Sugarcane bagasse presents larger potential for energetic use because of its volatiles content (74.82%) slightly higher than straw (68.90%), besides its high lignin content (21.85%) and higher calorific value (18.70 MJ/kg). Both sugarcane residues produced in Rio Grande do Sul have potential use as substrate in the ob-tainment of high value-added products from their cellulosic fractions (41.30% and 37.25%, respectively). The evaluation of energetic and chemical potential of sugarcane bagasse and straw produced in Rio Grande do Sul leads to the conclusion that these materials have high potential for use as feedstock in biorefineries.