Title: Production of xylitol using water hyacinth
Abstract:
Xylitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol with significant applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries, has garnered attention as a potential alternative sweetener due to its health benefits and low glycemic index. Xylitol is also widely used in the oral health care industry as they inhibit the growth of a cavity causing bacteria grown in the mouth called streptococcus mutans. This study explores the production of xylitol from water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic plant that poses environmental challenges. Utilizing a two-step process, the biomass of water hyacinth was first subjected to hydrolysis to release fermentable sugars, followed by fermentation using specific strains of yeast capable of converting xylose into xylitol. The fermentation process was optimized for temperature, pH, and inoculum size to enhance xylitol production. Results demonstrated that water hyacinth is a viable feedstock for xylitol production, with significant yields achieved under optimized conditions. Application studies are also done to study the effect of xylitol in various applications. This approach not only offers a sustainable method for xylitol production but also contributes to the management of water hyacinth populations. Further research will focus on scaling up the process and assessing the economic feasibility of industrial applications.
