Bioethanol Content Estimation in Lantana camara at different Altitudinal Gradients in Mussoorie Forest Division, Uttarakhand

The study investigated ethanol yield from different parts of Lantana camara at two distinct altitudes: 560 m and 1550 m. The plant parts analyzed include leaves, stems, and a combination of leaves and stems. Ethanol content revealed significant variations based on altitude and plant part. Leaves at 560 m produced a significantly higher ethanol yield (7.5 ml/l) compared to leaves at 1550 m (5.1 ml/l), due to more favorable photosynthesis conditions and higher fermentable sugar accumulation at lower altitudes indicating higher carbohydrate content in leaves at lower altitudes. Conversely, stems showed no significant difference in ethanol yield between the two altitudes (2.7 ml/l and 2.6 ml/l at 560 m and 1550 m, respectively), suggesting that stem metabolic processes and carbohydrate content are less affected by altitude. The combined leaves and stems demonstrated a significant difference, with higher ethanol yields at 560 m (3.2 ml/l) compared to 1550 m (2.9 ml/l), underscoring the altitude sensitivity of leaves in contributing to overall ethanol yield.