Physicochemical characterisation of lignocellulosic biomass for the identification of potential candidacy towards alternative renewable energy

In the current study we report the physicochemical characterization of lignocellulosic biomass of eight agricultural crops, such as Oryza sativa, Zea mays, Saccharum officinarum, Eleusine coracana, Glycine max, Pennisetum glaucum, Helianthus annuus andRicinus communis widely growing in the North-easternparts of India. The results of proximate and composition analysis showed that the moisture content maximum in Zea mays andleast in Oryza sativa. Ash content maximum inEleusine coracana and minimum in Saccharum officinarum. Volatile matter maximum inHelianthus annuus and minimum in Eleusine coracana. The fixed carbon maximum inEleusine coracana and minimum in Zea mays. The biomasses were subjected to chemical pre-treatment with acid (H2 SO4) and alkali (NaOH). The maximum percentage of cellulose, hemicellulose and ligninwere found in Pennisetum glaucum, Helianthus annuus and Ricinus communis respectively. The CHNSO results of all the crop pants show that maximum carbon in Helianthus annuus, hydrogen in Pennisetum glaucum, nitrogen content in Ricinus communis, sulphur in Saccharum officinarum and oxygen in Saccharum officinarum.The physicochemical characterization of biomasses confirmed that,they have been deemed ideal for the production of biofuel due to the presence of a larger amount of cellulose and a lower amount of nitrogen, sulphur, moisture, and ash content.