Effectiveness of sugarcane molasses as a broth medium in MICP

This study evaluates the effectiveness of molasses (MS) as a broth medium for microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) using Sporosarcina pasteurii , compared to nutrient broth (NB). Biotreatment was conducted over 9 and 18 days with varying pore volumes (0.50, 0.75, and 1 PV). Mechanical properties were assessed through unconfined compressive strength tests, while scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and calcite content analysis were used for biocementation analysis. NB-treated samples showed higher strength and calcite content than MS-treated ones. Although MS showed less effectiveness, its low cost and wide availability suggest it remains a viable option for sustainable, large-scale MICP applications.