Integrated biovalorization of Pongamia pinnata seeds for sustainable biodiesel and bioethanol production

Sidra Rani; Zahid Anwar; Zafar Iqbal; Muddassar Zafar; Hafiz Muhammad Javed

doi:10.2478/pjct-2026-0004

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Integrated biovalorization of Pongamia pinnata seeds for sustainable biodiesel and bioethanol production

Green Sciences

Volume 28 (2026): Issue 1 (March 2026)

By: Sidra Rani, Zahid Anwar, Zafar Iqbal, Muddassar Zafar and Hafiz Muhammad Javed

Open Access

|Apr 2026

Abstract

Biofuels represent a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, with non-food feedstock offering particular promise. This study evaluated Pongamia pinnata seeds as a dual feedstock for biodiesel and bioethanol production. Moisture content was determined at 8.0%, favorably lower than most lignocellulosic biomasses. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, indicating its suitability for biofuel production. Biodiesel was produced via alkaline transesterification, with the highest conversion (70%) obtained at a 5:1 alcohol-to-oil ratio. The de-oiled seed cake, rich in carbohydrates and low in lignin, was optimized for glucose release through Response Surface Methodology. Optimal conditions (100°C, 2.5 g substrate, 1.75% H₂SO₄, 60 min) yielded 429 mg g⁻¹ glucose. Enzymatic hydrolysis further enhanced sugar release, with maximum glucose (118.21 mg g⁻¹) achieved at 72 h with a 2.0 mL enzyme load. Subsequent fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae produced 6.71% ethanol. These findings highlight the potential of P. pinnata as a feedstock for integrated biorefineries, supporting sustainable biofuel production.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/pjct-2026-0004 | Journal eISSN: 3072-0389

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Language: English

Page range: 44 - 59

Submitted on: Oct 26, 2025

Accepted on: Feb 8, 2026

Published on: Apr 27, 2026

Published by: West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: Volume open

Keywords:

Bioethanol,

Biodiesel,

Biomass,

FTIR,

Pongamia pinnata ,

Valorization

Related subjects:

Industrial chemistry,

Biotechnology,

Chemical engineering,

Process engineering

© 2026 Sidra Rani, Zahid Anwar, Zafar Iqbal, Muddassar Zafar, Hafiz Muhammad Javed, published by West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Volume 28 (2026): Issue 1 (March 2026)