Enhancing Biogas Production from Sugarcane Waste and Vegetable Waste through Optimized Co-digestion and Catalytic Intervention: A Review

Abstract

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a proven and sustainable technology for converting organic waste in the form of biogas. However, mono-digestion of agro-industrial or municipal organic wastes often results in low methane yield, process instability, and inhibition due to nutrient imbalance and rapid acidification. To overcome these challenges, anaerobic co-digestion has gained significant attention as it improves substrate synergy and enhances microbial activity. Vegetable waste is a major problem in India. Huge quantity of waste is generated from market. Also, Sugarcane industrial residue generated in large quantities waste, its included sugarcane press mud, sugarcane bagasse, vinasse, sugarcane wastewater are promising substrates for co-digestion with vegetable waste. In this paper we focus on sugarcane Press mud waste with vegetable waste. Previous studies have demonstrated that an optimized substrate ratio plays a critical role in improving digestion performance. In recent years, catalytic intervention using metallic additives and nano-particles has emerged as an advanced strategy to further enhance anaerobic digestion by accelerating hydrolysis, improving electron transfer, and stimulating methanogenic activity. This review critically examines existing literature on anaerobic co-digestion of sugarcane waste and vegetable waste with optimized substrate ratios, and the role of metallic and nano-catalysts in improving methane yield and process stability. Research gaps related to catalyst dosage, nano-toxicity, and large-scale applicability are also highlighted to guide future experimental investigations.

Introduction

The text reviews the potential of anaerobic co-digestion of sugarcane press mud and vegetable waste for enhanced biogas production and sustainable waste management. Growing concerns over fossil fuel depletion and climate change have increased interest in renewable energy technologies such as anaerobic digestion (AD), which converts organic waste into biogas while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and producing nutrient-rich digestate.

Sugarcane press mud, a by-product of the sugar industry, contains high organic matter and minerals but has low biodegradability because of its lignocellulosic structure. In contrast, vegetable waste is highly biodegradable and rich in moisture and carbohydrates, but its mono-digestion often causes rapid acidification and process instability. Co-digestion combines the complementary properties of these wastes, improving nutrient balance, microbial activity, and digestion stability.

Research indicates that the substrate mixing ratio strongly influences biogas production. Several studies identified a 30:70 ratio of sugarcane press mud to vegetable waste as the optimum combination, resulting in higher methane yield, improved moisture content, balanced carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, and enhanced process stability.

The review also highlights the role of catalytic intervention in improving anaerobic digestion. Metallic additives such as iron, nickel, and cobalt support methanogenic enzymes, while nanoparticles and conductive materials enhance direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET), accelerate hydrolysis, reduce lag phases, and increase methane production. Iron oxide nanoparticles have been reported to improve methane yield by up to 30% under optimized conditions.

A comparison of previous studies shows that co-digestion strategies, iron-based additives, nanoparticles, and biochar can significantly improve methane productivity and digestion efficiency. However, important research gaps remain, including determining optimal catalyst dosage and particle size, understanding long-term toxicity effects, evaluating environmental impacts, and assessing large-scale economic feasibility.

Conclusion

Anaerobic co-digestion of sugarcane press mud and vegetable waste under optimized conditions offers a sustainable pathway for renewable energy generation. The 30:70 substrate ratio has been widely reported as optimal, and catalytic intervention presents a promising approach to further enhance methane yield and process stability. This review provides a comprehensive framework for experimental research focused on catalyst-assisted anaerobic digestion. Anaerobic co-digestion of sugarcane press mud and vegetable waste represents a sustainable and environmentally beneficial strategy for renewable energy generation and organic waste management. Optimized substrate combinations, particularly the 30:70 ratio of press mud to vegetable waste, have demonstrated improved methane yield, nutrient balance, and process stability. Recent advancements in catalytic enhancement using metallic additives, nanoparticles, and conductive materials further improve digestion efficiency through accelerated hydrolysis and enhanced electron transfer mechanisms. Nevertheless, challenges associated with catalyst toxicity, large-scale implementation, process economics, and long-term operational stability still require extensive investigation. Future research should focus on pilot-scale studies, advanced reactor systems, techno-economic assessments, and environmentally safe catalyst recovery methods to support industrial-scale deployment of catalyst-assisted anaerobic digestion technologies.

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Copyright © 2026 Rasita R. Kamble, Prof. Kiran M. Kangle. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.