Deciphering the biochemical and functional characterization of rice straw cultivars for industrial applications

As an agricultural state, Haryana (India) produces about six million metric tons (mt) of rice straw every year from rice cultivation. Currently, rice straw is either burned or ploughed into the field without being turned into a functional product. Burning of paddy straw release green house gases and particulate matter (2.5 and 10 μm), which leads to air pollution and considerable loss of soil property viz. nutrients, organic matter, productivity and biodiversity, and on and off-farm humans and animals’ health. The biochemically and functionally specified potential for optimal alternative use of the rice straw of 13 most widely produced rice varieties from Haryana’s eastern and western agro-climate zones was undertaken. Pusa-1401 variety had the highest cellulose (46.55%) and silica content (13.70%), while Pusa-1718 had hemicellulose (28.25%) and lignin (11.60%), respectively. Maximum nitrogen (0.81%), phosphorus (0.32%) and potassium (2.78%) were found in rice variety Pusa-1509, Pusa-1401 and Rice-6129. The findings seemed to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). The biochemical profiles of rice straw cultivars were classified into distinct structural groups (C–H alkalanes, O–H alcohol, C[bond, double bond]O, C–H alkanes) based on the FTIR spectrum in order to find the best alternative possibilities for bioethanol and compost production. According to the study, these rice straw varieties could be used to make lucrative industrial products.