Abstract

Biomethanation Of Fungal Predigested Caster Seed Cake In Acclimatized Seed

Author(s): P.Chellapandi, Suman S.Lahri, S.Sivaramakrishnan

Mixed fungal pretreatment of caster seed cake was carried out and then introduced in acclimatized seed for biogas production. It exhibited a considerable biogas production yield on caster seed cake with 10%TS. Fungal pretreatment followed by autoclaving failed to boost biogas production. Acclimatized seed used in this study served as enriched microbial consortia and water-soluble nutritional factors for enhancing the biomethanation process. The maximum biogas production volume and production yield were 105 L and 0.190m3/Kg TVS addedwith 53%methane content respectively. The highest percentage of TS(79%) reduced at 36d in digester with 15%. No critical fluctuations in pH, acidity and total volatile acids until the course of digestion reported. COD destruction in digested slurry reached maximum to 60%. Soluble sugars and soluble proteins almost disappeared in feedstock at the end of digestion. The degradation rate of hemicelluloses was greater than cellulose. In 10% caster seed cake, nitrogen content disappeared maximum in digester in acclimatized seed. Thus, in accordance to all the experimental data, suggested anaerobic digestion of caster seed cake in acclimatized seed could be suitable for large scale biomethanation process.