Bioethanol Production from Garri Processing Waste Via Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation: Performance and Inhibition Analysis

Abstract ―​

This study investigates the feasibility of producing bioethanol from garri processing waste via Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF). A pilot-scale SSF bioreactor was used to process cassava peel hydrolysate under controlled conditions. The process yielded an ethanol concentration of 62.3 g/L, with a volumetric productivity of 1.48 g/L·h and a process yield of 0.46 g/g sugar consumed. Comprehensive effluent characterization revealed significant residual starch (35.82%) and inhibitory levels of heavy metals, particularly chromium (19.81 mg/L), which likely contributed to incomplete fermentation and reduced yeast viability. The study highlights the potential of garri waste as a viable feedstock for bioethanol while identifying key inhibition factors that must be addressed for process optimization and environmental sustainability.