Bioconversion of Waste Foolscap and Newspaper to Fermentable Sugar

The aim of this project work was to evaluate the effect of bacteria – Serratia in the enzymatic hydrolysis of Foolscap [FS] and Newspaper [NP] into fermentable or reducing sugars. The effect of temperature and hydrolysis time (number of days) on the extent of concentration of reducing sugar yield were assessed and quantified using Dinitrosalicylic acid test method (DNS). A proximate analysis was carried out on the substrate before hydrolysis. Alkaline pre-treatment using sodium hydroxide and deinking process for the removal of paper with ink for higher susceptibility of the substrate before the enzymatic hydrolysis were carried out. The temperature effect on the waste sample were analysed at 37°C, 40°C and 45°C for 7 days, it was observed that at 37°C, saccharification was higher than at 40°C and 45°C. The general observation was in that Serratia had a very good effect on the waste paper samples. A 3-D surface plot revealed that the yield of sugar increased along with the hydrolysis time (number of days), with Foolscap having the highest yield of about 21mg/ml. The comparative analysis shows that the highest yield was obtained at the temperature of 37°C, for both substrates used.