With reference to the usefulness of the by-products of sugar industry, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- 1. Bagasse can be used as biomass fuel for the generation of energy.
- 2. Molasses can be used as one of the feedstocks for the production of synthetic fertilizers.
- 3. Molasses can be used for the production of ethanol.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2013
– Statement 2 is incorrect. Molasses is a viscous by-product obtained from refining sugarcane or sugar beets into sugar. It is primarily used in animal feed, for the production of ethanol, rum, yeast, citric acid, and other fermentation products. It is not a common or significant feedstock for the production of synthetic fertilizers, which are typically produced from natural gas (for nitrogen fertilizers like urea), rock phosphate (for phosphorus fertilizers), and potassium salts (for potassium fertilizers).
– Statement 3 is correct. Molasses is a readily fermentable sugar source and is a major feedstock for the production of ethanol, which can be used as a biofuel.