Global interest in lignocellulosic biomass as potential feedstock for conversion into biofuel is growing steadily because of the energy crisis the world faces. Lignocellulosic biomass can be sourced from agricultural residues, woody biomass, or some wasteland weeds. In this study, the physicochemical characteristics and theoretical bioethanol yields of Lantana camara and Parthenium hysterophorus has been determined to evaluate their potential as bioethanol feedstocks. The results from the physicochemical analysis showed that Parthenium hysterophorus contains 2.3% moisture, 2.1 % ash, 7.6 protein, 35.68% cellulose, 25.35% hemicelluloses and 19.79% lignin. The physicochemical composition of Lantana camara was determined to contain 1.7 % moisture, 1.42 % ash, 11.39 protein, 43.14% cellulose, 38.79% hemicelluloses and 26.28% lignin. The analysis revealed that the Lantana camara biomass sample has higher Glucan, Xylan, Galactan and Mannam carbohydrate contents than Parthenium hysterophorus. Glucan was the dominant polyssacharide for both P. hysterophorus and Lantana camara biomass samples. In this study, the theoretical ethanol yields calculated on the basis of sugar monomer composition in the biomass ranged from 548.47 to 550.64 L/ Ton of biomass. The result of this study shows that, P. hysterophorus and Lantana camara biomass samples can be potential feedstocks for bioethanol production. However, further research should undertake to identify suitable routes for conversion of Parthenium hysterophorus and Lantana camara biomass samples to bioethanol to maximize yields and reduce production costs. Moreover, further research should be undertaken to identify the ecological, environmental and economical issues associated with utilization of these invasive weeds for bioethanol production at a larger scale.

Keywords: Bioethanol, Invasive weeds, Lantana camara, Physicochemical, Parthenium hysterophorus