Ethanol production from two varieties of henequen (Agave fourcroydes Lem)

This work demonstrates the significant differences in ethanol production of two henequen (Agave fourcroydes Lem) varieties. Yaax ki, or green henequen, surpasses Sac ki, or white henequen, in weight, sugar accumulation capability and ethanol production. The study was carried out with the ‘piña’ (stem and basal part of the leaves that remain attached to it after harvesting the leaves) of 5- and 9-year-old plants, cultivated in two localities of Yucatán, México. At 5 years of age, Yaax ki piñas are 33% larger than those of Sac ki, and at 9 years this difference can increase to 59%. Juice from 5-year-old piñas of Yaax ki contains 15.6% more reducing sugars, whereas in the must it can exceed 67%. Values obtained in the 9-year-old plants indicate that the Yaax ki variety accumulates 30.6% more reducing sugars than the Sac ki, whereas in the must the difference is in favor of Yaax ki is 21.7%. To produce 1 L of ethanol at 40% concentration by volume from 5-year-old plants, 48 kg of Sac ki piñas and 29 kg of Yaax ki are required, whereas with the 9-year-old plants, only 23 and 19 kg are needed, respectively.