With reference to the usefulness of the by-products of the 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 chemical fertilizers.
3. Molasses can be used for the production of ethanol.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Only statements 1 and 3 are correct

• The sugar industry produces several valuable by-products. Bagasse, the fibrous residue left after extracting juice, is widely used as a biomass fuel in sugar mills and also in paper manufacturing. Molasses, a thick liquid by-product, serves as a key raw material for ethanol production through fermentation and distillation. However, molasses is not used in the manufacture of synthetic chemical fertilizers such as urea or DAP, which are derived from inorganic sources like natural gas (for ammonia) and rock phosphate.

Answer: (c) 1 and 3; Difficulty Level: Easy