Articles
Are we ready to cultivate cactus pear as a bioenergy feedstock in semi-arid land? A review on biofuels production
Article number
1343_23
Pages
163 – 170
Language
English
Abstract
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Semi-arid regions around the world exhibit limited agricultural biomass alternatives for the production of biofuels due to water shortages.
One of the solutions found for this problem is the use of plants with CAM mechanism (crassulacean acid metabolism), able to absorb and store water more easily.
In this context, the aim of this manuscript is to analyze the use of cactus pear biomass (Opuntia) in thermochemical and biochemical routes, evaluating the potential and relevance of this raw material for its conversion into biofuels, such as ethanol and biogas, and biochar.
For this, the characterization and productivity of this biomass were studied, as well as its processing in a biorefinery in the aforementioned routes.
The work developed is an exploratory study, conducted through a literature review using scientific manuscripts in the areas of bioenergy and biotechnology.
The main results found point to the need for further research carried out in some countries, such as Brazil, as well as expose the advances in studies of energy use of this biomass in countries such as Mexico.
Although, challenges such as the realization of a more complete and precise characterization, with an adequate methodology for this biomass, make these estimates difficult.
However, cactus pear shows great potential for the production of biofuels, and could become a viable alternative for semi-arid regions.
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Semi-arid regions around the world exhibit limited agricultural biomass alternatives for the production of biofuels due to water shortages.
One of the solutions found for this problem is the use of plants with CAM mechanism (crassulacean acid metabolism), able to absorb and store water more easily.
In this context, the aim of this manuscript is to analyze the use of cactus pear biomass (Opuntia) in thermochemical and biochemical routes, evaluating the potential and relevance of this raw material for its conversion into biofuels, such as ethanol and biogas, and biochar.
For this, the characterization and productivity of this biomass were studied, as well as its processing in a biorefinery in the aforementioned routes.
The work developed is an exploratory study, conducted through a literature review using scientific manuscripts in the areas of bioenergy and biotechnology.
The main results found point to the need for further research carried out in some countries, such as Brazil, as well as expose the advances in studies of energy use of this biomass in countries such as Mexico.
Although, challenges such as the realization of a more complete and precise characterization, with an adequate methodology for this biomass, make these estimates difficult.
However, cactus pear shows great potential for the production of biofuels, and could become a viable alternative for semi-arid regions.
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Acta Horticulturae 1343 was published prior to the start of the X International Congress on Cactus Pear and Cochineal.
The current article was removed, because the authors eventually did not attend the X International Congress on Cactus Pear and Cochineal.
Publication
Authors
L.A.M. Vitt, B.R.A. Alencar, E.D. Dutra, L.A.S. Ries
Keywords
biomass, CAM plants, Nopalea, Opuntia, prickly pear, semi-arid regions
Groups involved
Online Articles (75)