Ethanol production from sorghum by a microwave-assisted dilute ammonia pretreatment

High-pressure microwave-assisted pretreatment of softwood, hardwood and non-wood biomass using different solvents in the production of cellulosic ethanol

BACKGROUND

Pretreatment is an indispensable stage of the preparation of lignocellulosic biomass with key significance for the effectiveness of hydrolysis and the efficiency of the production of cellulosic ethanol. A significant increase in the susceptibility of the raw material to further degradation can be attained as a result of effective delignification in high-pressure conditions. With this in mind, a method of high-pressure pretreatment using microwave radiation and various solvents (water, 40% w/v NaCS, 1% v/v H₂SO₄, 1% w/v NaOH or 60% v/v EtOH with an addition of 1% v/v H₂SO₄) was developed, enabling the acquisition of biomass with an increased susceptibility to the process of enzymatic hydrolysis. The medium obtained in this way can be used for the production of cellulosic ethanol via high-gravity technology (lignocellulosic media containing from 15 to 20% dry weight of biomass). For every type of biomass (pine chips, beech chips and wheat straw), a solvent was selected to be used during the pretreatment, guaranteeing the acquisition of a medium highly susceptible to the process of enzymatic hydrolysis.

RESULTS

The highest efficiency of the hydrolysis of biomass, amounting to 71.14 ± 0.97% (glucose concentration 109.26 ± 3.49 g/L) was achieved for wheat straw subjected to microwave-assisted pretreatment using 40% w/v NaCS. Fermentation of this medium produced ethanol concentration at the level of 53.84 ± 1.25 g/L. A slightly lower effectiveness of enzymatic hydrolysis (62.21 ± 0.62%) was achieved after high-pressure microwave-assisted pretreatment of beech chips using 1% w/v NaOH. The hydrolysate contained glucose in the concentration of 91.78 ± 1.91 g/L, and the acquired concentration of ethanol after fermentation amounted to 49.07 ± 2.06 g/L. In the case of pine chips, the most effective delignification was achieved using 60% v/v EtOH with the addition of 1% v/v H₂SO₄, but after enzymatic hydrolysis, the concentration of glucose in hydrolysate was lower than in the other raw materials and amounted to 39.15 ± 1.62 g/L (the concentration of ethanol after fermentation was ca. 19.67 ± 0.98 g/L). The presence of xylose and galactose was also determined in the obtained fermentation media. The highest initial concentration of these carbohydrates (21.39 ± 1.44 g/L) was observed in beech chips media after microwave-assisted pretreatment using NaOH. The use of wheat straw after pretreatment using EtOH with an addition of 1% v/v H₂SO₄ for the preparation of fermentation medium, results in the generation of the initial concentration of galactose and xylose at the level of 19.03 ± 0.38 g/L.

CONCLUSION

The achieved results indicate a high effectiveness of the enzymatic hydrolysis of the biomass subjected to high-pressure microwave-assisted pretreatment. The final effect depends on the combined use of correctly selected solvents for the different sources of lignocellulosic biomass. On the basis of the achieved results, we can say that the presented method indicates a very high potential in the area of its use for the production of cellulosic ethanol involving high-gravity technology.

Advances in physicochemical pretreatment strategies for lignocellulose biomass and their effectiveness in bioconversion for biofuel production

The inherent recalcitrance of lignocellulosic biomass is a significant barrier to efficient lignocellulosic biorefinery owing to its complex structure and the presence of inhibitory components, primarily lignin. Efficient biomass pretreatment strategies are crucial for fragmentation of lignocellulosic biocomponents, increasing the surface area and solubility of cellulose fibers, and removing or extracting lignin. Conventional pretreatment methods have several disadvantages, such as high operational costs, equipment corrosion, and the generation of toxic byproducts and effluents. In recent years, many emerging single-step, multi-step, and/or combined physicochemical pretreatment regimes have been developed, which are simpler in operation, more economical, and environmentally friendly. Furthermore, many of these combined physicochemical methods improve biomass bioaccessibility and effectively fractionate ∼96 % of lignocellulosic biocomponents into cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, thereby allowing for highly efficient lignocellulose bioconversion. This review critically discusses the emerging physicochemical pretreatment methods for efficient lignocellulose bioconversion for biofuel production to address the global energy crisis.

Sweet sorghum for phytoremediation and bioethanol production

As an energy crop, sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) receives increasing attention for phytoremediation and biofuels production due to its good stress tolerance and high biomass with low input requirements. Sweet sorghum possesses wide adaptability, which also has high tolerances to poor soil conditions and drought. Its rapid growth with the large storage of fermentable saccharides in the stalks offers considerable scope for bioethanol production. Additionally, sweet sorghum has heavy metal tolerance and the ability to remove cadmium (Cd) in particular. Therefore, sweet sorghum has great potential to build a sustainable phytoremediation system for Cd-polluted soil remediation and simultaneous ethanol production. To implement this strategy, further efforts are in demand for sweet sorghum in terms of screening superior varieties, improving phytoremediation capacity, and efficient bioethanol production. In this review, current research advances of sweet sorghum including agronomic requirements, phytoremediation of Cd pollution, bioethanol production, and breeding are discussed. Furthermore, crucial problems for future utilization of sweet sorghum stalks after phytoremediation are combed.

Graphical Abstract

Insight into the recent advances of microwave pretreatment technologies for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into sustainable biofuel

The utilization of renewable lignocellulosic biomasses for bioenergy synthesis is believed to facilitate competitive commercialization and realize affordable clean energy sources in the future. Among the pathways for biomass pretreatment methods that enhance the efficiency of the whole biofuel production process, the combined microwave irradiation and physicochemical approach is found to provide many economic and environmental benefits. Several studies on microwave-based pretreatment technologies for biomass conversion have been conducted in recent years. Although some reviews are available, most did not comprehensively analyze microwave-physicochemical pretreatment techniques for biomass conversion. The study of these techniques is crucial for sustainable biofuel generation. Therefore, the biomass pretreatment process that combines the physicochemical method with microwave-assisted irradiation is reviewed in this paper. The effects of this pretreatment process on lignocellulosic structure and the ratio of achieved components were also discussed in detail. Pretreatment processes for biomass conversion were substantially affected by temperature, irradiation time, initial feedstock components, catalyst loading, and microwave power. Consequently, neoteric technologies utilizing high efficiency-based green and sustainable solutions should receive further focus. In addition, methodologies for quantifying and evaluating effects and relevant trade-offs should be develop to facilitate the take-off of the biofuel industry with clean and sustainable goals.

Microwave Assisted Alkaline Pretreatment of Algae Waste in the Production of Cellulosic Bioethanol

Biomass pretreatment has an important role in the production of cellulosic bioethanol. In this study, the effectiveness of microwave assisted alkaline pretreatment of algae waste was analysed. After pretreatment, the product was hydrolysed using sulphuric acid. The effects of microwave power, irradiating time, solid–liquid ratio and NaOH concentration were examined. Under the best conditions, the fermentable sugars were converted to cellulosic bioethanol using Saccharomyces Cerevisiae with a bioethanol yield of 1.93 ± 0.01 g/g and a fermentation efficiency of 40.4%. The reducing sugars concentration was 30% higher than that obtained from conventional hydrolysis without pretreatment. The obtained results suggest that microwave assisted alkaline pretreatment is effective in improving the production of cellulosic bioethanol of algae waste compared to that without microwave effect. Considering energy consumption, low microwave power and short microwave irradiation time are favourable for this pretreatment.

Assessment of combination of pretreatment of Sorghum durra stalk and production of chimeric enzyme (β-glucosidase and endo β-1,4 glucanase, CtGH1-L1-CtGH5-F194A) and cellobiohydrolase (CtCBH5A) for saccharification to produce bioethanol

Optimization of pretreatment and saccharification of Sorghum durra stalk (Sds) was carried out. The chimeric enzyme (CtGH1-L1-CtGH5-F194A) having β-glucosidase (CtGH1) and endo β-1,4 glucanase activity (CtGH5-F194A) and cellobiohydrolase (CtCBH5A) from Clostridium thermocellum were used for saccharification. Chimeric enzyme will save production cost of two enzymes, individually. Stage 2 pretreatment by 1% (w/v) NaOH assisted autoclaving + 1.5% (v/v) dilute H₂SO₄ assisted oven heating gave lower total sugar yield (366.6 mg/g of pretreated Sds) and total glucose yield (195 mg/g of pretreated Sds) in pretreated hydrolysate with highest crystallinity index 55.6% than the other stage 2 pretreatments. Optimized parameters for saccharification of above stage 2 pretreated biomass were 3% (w/v) biomass concentration, enzyme (chimera: cellobiohydrolase) ratio, 2:3 (U/g) of biomass, total enzyme loading (350 U/g of pretreated biomass), 24 h and 30 °C. Best stage 2 pretreated Sds under optimized enzyme saccharification conditions gave maximum total reducing sugar yield 417 mg/g and glucose yield 285 mg/g pretreated biomass in hydrolysate. Best stage 2 pretreated Sds showed significantly higher cellulose, 71.3% and lower lignin, 2.0% and hemicellulose, 12.2% (w/w) content suggesting the effectiveness of method. This hydrolysate upon SHF using Saccharomyces cerevisiae under unoptimized conditions produced ethanol yield, 0.12 g/g of glucose. Abbreviation: Ct-Clostridium thermocellum, Sds-Sorghum durra stalk, TRS-Total reducing sugar, HPLC-High performance liquid chromatography, RI-Refractive index, ADL-acid insoluble lignin, GYE-Glucose yeast extract, MGYP-Malt glucose yeast extract peptone, SHF-separate hydrolysis and fermentation, OD-Optical density, PVDF-Poly vinylidene fluoride, TS-total sugar, FESEM-Field emission scanning electron microscopy, XRD-X-ray diffraction, FTIR-Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy and CrI-Crystallinity index.

Microwave support of the alcoholic fermentation process of cyanobacteria Arthrospira platensis

The search for a balance between the energy-related challenges of the future and providing nutritional security has resulted in the development of a market for biofuels of successive generations. The larger their portion in biofuel production, the less the prices of agricultural products will increase. The use of algae, cyanobacteria and aquatic plants in the production of liquid fuels is an alternative. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of thermal hydrolysis on degradation of polysaccharides contained in biomass of cyanobacteria Arthrospira platensis and to assess the effectiveness of ethanol production from preconditioned biomass. The study is aimed at the selection of the most advantageous parameters of thermochemical hydrolysis to reach the experiment variant with the best effects, degree of polysaccharide degradation and effectiveness of alcohol fermentation. The experiment was divided into two stages; in stage I, the possibility of obtaining fermentable sugars by hydrothermal and chemical treatment of the substrate was tested. Stage II involved an assessment of the effectiveness of the pretreatment methods to produce bioethanol in alcohol fermentation. Yeast used in industrial ethanol production-Saccharomyces cerevisiae As4-was used in the alcohol fermentation. The results have shown that the temperature of 150 °C was the most beneficial for the process of thermohydrolysis, and the mash in the microwave-heated sample contained the highest concentration of alcohol (0.97 g/l), which is 98% more than in the control mash and 37% more than in the conventionally heated sample.

Pretreatment Processes of Biomass for Biorefineries: Current Status and Prospects

This article seeks to be a handy document for the academy and the industry to get quickly up to speed on the current status and prospects of biomass pretreatment for biorefineries. It is divided into two biomass sources: vegetal and animal. Vegetal biomass is the material produced by plants on land or in water (algae), consuming sunlight, CO2, water, and soil nutrients. This includes residues or main products from, for example, intensive grass crops, forestry, and industrial and agricultural activities. Animal biomass is the residual biomass generated from the production of food from animals (e.g., manure and whey). This review does not mean to include every technology in the area, but it does evaluate physical pretreatments, microwave-assisted extraction, and water treatments for vegetal biomass. A general review is given for animal biomass based in physical, chemical, and biological pretreatments.

Microwave assisted acid hydrolysis for bioethanol fuel production from sago pith waste

Microwave assisted acid hydrolysis (H₂SO₄ and HCl with >0.5 mol/L) to produce bioethanol from sago pith waste (SPW) was studied. The energy consumption for microwave hydrolysis at different energy inputs and acid concentration were calculated. The overall energy consumption for bioethanol fuel production from SPW was assessed. A maximum of 88% glucose yield and 80% ethanol yield (3.1 g ethanol per 10 g SPW) were obtained using 1.0 mol/L H₂SO₄. Microwave hydrolysis using 1.0 mol/L H₂SO₄ consumed the minimum energy of 8.1 kJ to produce 1 g glucose from SPW when energy input was fixed at 54 kJ (900 W for 1 min). In general, 1 g glucose can produce 16 kJ. The overall energy consumption for fuel grade bioethanol production from SPW was 31.77 kJ per g ethanol, which was slightly higher than the lower heating values of ethanol (26.74 kJ/g ethanol).

Steam-exploded biomass saccharification is predominately affected by lignocellulose porosity and largely enhanced by Tween-80 in Miscanthus

In this study, total ten Miscanthus accessions exhibited diverse cell wall compositions, leading to largely varied hexoses yields at 17%-40% (% cellulose) released from direct enzymatic hydrolysis of steam-exploded (SE) residues. Further supplied with 2% Tween-80 into the enzymatic digestion, the Mis7 accession showed the higher hexose yield by 14.8-fold than that of raw material, whereas the Mis10 had the highest hexoses yield at 77% among ten Miscanthus accessions. Significantly, this study identified four wall polymer features that negatively affect biomass saccharification as p<0.05 or 0.01 in the SE residues, including cellulose DP, Xyl and Ara of hemicellulose, and S-monomer of lignin. Based on Simons' stain, the SE porosity (defined by DY/DB) was examined to be the unique positive factor on biomass enzymatic digestion. Hence, this study provides the potential strategy to enhance biomass saccharification using optimal biomass process technology and related genetic breeding in Miscanthus and beyond.

Evaluation of ultrasound assisted potassium permanganate pre-treatment of spent coffee waste

In the present study, novel pre-treatment for spent coffee waste (SCW) has been proposed which utilises the superior oxidising capacity of alkaline KMnO₄ assisted by ultra-sonication. The pre-treatment was conducted for different exposure times (10, 20, 30 and 40min) using different concentrations of KMnO₄ (1, 2, 3, 4, 5%w/v) at room temperature with solid/liquid ratio of 1:10. Pretreating SCW with 4% KMnO₄ and exposing it to ultrasound for 20min resulted in 98% cellulose recovery and a maximum lignin removal of 46%. 1.7 fold increase in reducing sugar yield was obtained after enzymatic hydrolysis of KMnO₄ pretreated SCW as compared to raw. SEM, XRD and FTIR analysis of the pretreated SCW revealed the various effects of pretreatment. Thermal behaviour of the pretreated substrate against the native biomass was also studied using DSC. Ultrasound-assisted potassium permanganate oxidation was found to be an effective pretreatment for SCW, and can be a used as a potential feedstock pretreatment strategy for bioethanol production.

Changes on structural properties of biomass pretreated by combined deacetylation with liquid hot water and its effect on enzymatic hydrolysis

A novel combined pretreatment of deacetylation and liquid hot water (LHW) was invented which has been proved to be effective in increasing enzymatic hydrolysis yield of biomass. In order to further understand the effect of this new pretreatment process on biomass, the variation on structural properties including cellulose crystallinity index (CrI), specific surface area (SSA) and degree of polymerization (DP) before/after pretreatment and how these properties affected the enzymatic hydrolysis of biomass were explored. The improvement of pretreatment severity (PS) could increase CrI, SSA and reduce DP. Whereas the enhancement of degree of deacetylation could decrease SSA and DP. An optimal formula (E12Y=0.347(100-CrI)(-0.375)×(SSA)(0.203)×(1700-DP)(0.281)) was achieved to express the correlation between structural properties and enzymatic hydrolysis after 12h. The enzymatic yield was more sensitive to CrI than to SSA and DP.

Oil extraction from sheanut (Vitellaria paradoxa Gaertn C.F.) kernels assisted by microwaves

Shea butter, is highly solicited in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, chocolates and biodiesel formulations. Microwave assisted extraction (MAE) of butter from sheanut kernels was carried using the Doehlert's experimental design. Factors studied were microwave heating time, temperature and solvent/solute ratio while the responses were the quantity of oil extracted and the acid number. Second order models were established to describe the influence of experimental parameters on the responses studied. Under optimum MAE conditions of heating time 23 min, temperature 75 °C and solvent/solute ratio 4:1 more than 88 % of the oil with a free fatty acid (FFA) value less than 2, was extracted compared to the 10 h and solvent/solute ratio of 10:1 required for soxhlet extraction. Scanning electron microscopy was used to elucidate the effect of microwave heating on the kernels' microstructure. Substantial reduction in extraction time and volumes of solvent used and oil of suitable quality are the main benefits derived from the MAE process.

A perspective on bioethanol production from biomass as alternative fuel for spark ignition engine

The increasing fuel consumption of fossil fuels has led to the development of alternative fuels for the future.

Effect of frequency and reaction time in focused ultrasonic pretreatment of energy cane bagasse for bioethanol production

Pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass is a critical steps in bioethanol production. Ultrasonic pretreatment significantly improves cellulose hydrolysis increasing sugar yields, but current system designs have limitations related to efficiency and scalability. This study evaluates the ultrasonic pretreatment of energy cane bagasse in a novel scalable configuration and by maximizing coupling of ultrasound energy to the material via active modulation of frequency. Pretreatment was conducted in 28% ammonia water mixture at a sample:ammonia:water ratio of 1:0.5:8. Process performance was investigated as a function of frequency (20, 20.5, 21kHz), reaction time (30, 45, 60min), temperature, and power levels for multiple combinations of ammonia, water and sample mixture. Results indicated an increased enzymatic digestibility, with maximum glucose yield of 24.29g/100g dry biomass. Theoretical ethanol yields obtained ranged from 6.47 to a maximum of 24.29g/100g dry biomass. Maximum energy attainable was 886.34kJ/100g dry biomass.

Microwave irradiation--A green and efficient way to pretreat biomass

As a non-traditional heating way, microwave irradiation (MWI) has long been used for lignocellulose pretreatment with the advent of commercial microwave oven since the 1970s. MWI pretreatment using MWI as heating source is similar to other pretreatment methods. Although MWI pretreatment solves some problems caused by other pretreatment methods, such as low heating rate and thermal efficiency, uneven heating, it brings some new challenges such as reaction vessel selection and pretreatment process design. Over 30 years of development, researchers have achieved good pretreatment performance with MWI which has been applied gradually from laboratory scale to pilot-scale. It should be noted that MWI pretreatment is facing some problems: high cost of pretreatment, short of large-scale equipment, the non-thermal effects in pretreatment is still controversial. If MWI pretreatment reaction mechanism could be further clarified and large-scale industrialized reactor be designed, MWI pretreatment might be widely used in biorefinery.

Opportunities for utilization of non-conventional energy sources for biomass pretreatment

The increasing concerns over the depletion of fossil resources and its associated geo-political issues have driven the entire world to move toward sustainable forms of energy. Pretreatment is the first step in any biochemical conversion process for the production of valuable fuels/chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass to eliminate the lignin and produce fermentable sugars by hydrolysis. Conventional techniques have several limitations which can be addressed by using them in tandem with non-conventional methods for biomass pretreatment. Electron beam and γ (gamma)-irradiation, microwave and ultrasound energies have certain advantages over conventional source of energy and there is an opportunity that these energies can be exploited for biomass pretreatment.

Pretreatment optimization of Sorghum pioneer biomass for bioethanol production and its scale-up

Based on one parameter at a time, saccharification of delignified sorghum biomass by 4% and 70% v/v sulfuric acid resulted in maximum 30.8 and 33.8 g% sugar production from biomass respectively. The Box Behnken Design was applied for further optimization of acid hydrolysis. As a result of the designed experiment 36.3g% sugar production was achieved when 3% v/v H2SO4 treatment given for 60 min at 180°C. The process was scaled-up to treat 2 kg of biomass. During the screening of yeast cultures, isolate C, MK-I and N were found to be potent ethanol producers from sorghum hydrolyzate. Culture MK-I was the best so used for scale up of ethanol production up to 25 L capacity, which gave a yield of 0.49 g ethanol/g sugar from hydrolyzate obtained from 2 kg of sorghum biomass.

Prospects for Irradiation in Cellulosic Ethanol Production

Second generation bioethanol production technology relies on lignocellulosic biomass composed of hemicelluloses, celluloses, and lignin components. Cellulose and hemicellulose are sources of fermentable sugars. But the structural characteristics of lignocelluloses pose hindrance to the conversion of these sugar polysaccharides into ethanol. The process of ethanol production, therefore, involves an expensive and energy intensive step of pretreatment, which reduces the recalcitrance of lignocellulose and makes feedstock more susceptible to saccharification. Various physical, chemical, biological, or combined methods are employed to pretreat lignocelluloses. Irradiation is one of the common and promising physical methods of pretreatment, which involves ultrasonic waves, microwaves, γ-rays, and electron beam. Irradiation is also known to enhance the effect of saccharification. This review explains the role of different radiations in the production of cellulosic ethanol.

A biorefining process: Sequential, combinational lignocellulose pretreatment procedure for improving biobutanol production from sugarcane bagasse

Here, for the first time, we designed a sequential, combinatorial lignocellulose pretreatment procedure (SCLPP) for microbial biofuel fermentation to reduce generation of microbial growth inhibitors and furthermore increase sugar yields. We tested this pretreatment process using sugarcane bagasse as substrate and assessed the effectiveness by analysis of biobutanol production through microbial clostridium beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 conversion. Our results showed that there were no inhibitory effects when using the hydrolysates as fermentation substrate. Under the SSF scheme, we observed the highest concentrations of butanol (6.4g/L) and total ABE (11.9g/L), resulting in a higher ABE productivity, compared with the SHF method. These findings suggest that the SCLPP is a feasible method for improving ABE production, lowering microbial inhibitor generation, and ensuring success in the subsequent fermentation process. Therefore, our work demonstrated developing a tractable integrated process that facilitates to increase biofuel production from agricultural residues rich in lignocellulose is feasible.

Sugar-rich sweet sorghum is distinctively affected by wall polymer features for biomass digestibility and ethanol fermentation in bagasse

Sweet sorghum has been regarded as a typical species for rich soluble-sugar and high lignocellulose residues, but their effects on biomass digestibility remain unclear. In this study, we examined total 63 representative sweet sorghum accessions that displayed a varied sugar level at stalk and diverse cell wall composition at bagasse. Correlative analysis showed that both soluble-sugar and dry-bagasse could not significantly affect lignocellulose saccharification under chemical pretreatments. Comparative analyses of five typical pairs of samples indicated that DP of crystalline cellulose and arabinose substitution degree of non-KOH-extractable hemicelluloses distinctively affected lignocellulose crystallinity for high biomass digestibility. By comparison, lignin could not alter lignocellulose crystallinity, but the KOH-extractable G-monomer predominately determined lignin negative impacts on biomass digestions, and the G-levels released from pretreatments significantly inhibited yeast fermentation. The results also suggested potential genetic approaches for enhancing soluble-sugar level and lignocellulose digestibility and reducing ethanol conversion inhibition in sweet sorghum.

Sequential extrusion-microwave pretreatment of switchgrass and big bluestem

Developing an effective and economical biomass pretreatment method is a significant roadblock to meeting the ever growing demand for transportation fuels. Earlier studies with different feedstocks revealed that in the absence of chemicals, neither extrusion nor microwave could be standalone pretreatments. However, there is potential that the advantages of these individual methods can be harnessed in a sequential pretreatment process. Accordingly, switchgrass and big bluestem were extruded and then subject to microwave pretreatment, under optimal conditions that had been separately determined in prior studies. Pretreated biomass was then subject to enzymatic hydrolysis to understand the effectiveness of the sequential pretreatment on sugar recovery and generation of fermentation inhibitors. Statistical analysis confirmed that moisture content, microwave power level, and exposure time (and their interactions) had significant influence on sugar recovery. Sequential pretreatment of switchgrass (25% moisture, 450W and 2.5min) resulted in a maximum glucose, xylose, and total sugar recovery of 52.6%, 75.5%, and 59.2%, respectively. This was higher by 1.27 and 2.71, 1.21 and 4.60, and 1.25 and 2.87 times compared to extrusion alone and the unpretreated control, respectively. The same sequential pretreatment conditions achieved maximum glucose, xylose, and total sugar recovery of 83.2%, 92.1%, and 68.1%, respectively, for big bluestem. This was 1.14 and 4.1, 1.18 and 2.7, and 1.20 and 3.0 times higher than extrusion alone and the unpretreated control, respectively. This sequential pretreatment process did not aggravate acetic acid formation over levels observed with the individual pretreatments. Furthermore, furfural, HMF, and formic acid were not detected in any of the treatments. Although the sequential pretreatment process enhanced sugar recovery without increasing the levels of potential fermentation inhibitors, the increased energy input for the microwave treatment may not be economical.

Total fractionation of green tea residue by microwave-assisted alkaline pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis

Total refinery of constituents of green tea residue was achieved by combination of microwave-assisted alkaline pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. Alkaline pretreatment was effective at separating pectic polysaccharides, protein, phenolic compounds and aliphatic compounds (probably originating from cuticular components), and the solubilization rate was attained 64–74% by heating at 120–200 °C. The higher heating value (HHV) of alkali-soluble fraction attained 20.1 MJ/kg, indicating its usability as black-liquor-like biofuel. Successive cellulolytic enzymatic hydrolysis mainly converted cellulose into glucose and attained the maximum solubilization rate of 89%. Final residue was predominantly composed of aliphatic cuticular components with high proportion in 9,10,18-trihydroxyoctadecanoic acid (30.1–48.6%). These cuticular components are potential alternative feedstock for aliphatic compounds commonly found in oil plants.

A novel combined pretreatment of ball milling and microwave irradiation for enhancing enzymatic hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was performed as a mode substrate to investigate its potential ability of bioconversion in a novel combined pretreatment of ball milling (BM) and/or microwave irradiation (MWI). The variation of structure characteristics of MCC before/after pretreatment were investigated, including crystallinity index (CrI), size of crystal (S(C)), specific surface area (SSA) and degree of polymerization (DP). Their correlation with the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis was differentiated by an optimized equation which indicated the rate of hydrolysis was much more sensitive to CrI than SSA and DP. To achieve the same or higher glucose yield of BM for 3h and 6h, BM for 1h with MWI for 20min could save 54.8% and 77.40% energy consumption, respectively. Moreover, chemicals were not required in this process. It is concluded that the combination of BM and short time MWI is an environment-friendly, economical and effective approach to treat biomass.

Fermentation of liquefacted hydrothermally pretreated sweet sorghum bagasse to ethanol at high-solids content

The ability of sweet sorghum bagasse to be utilized as feedstock for ethanol production at high initial dry matter concentration was investigated. In order to achieve high enzymatic hydrolysis yield, a hydrothermal pretreatment prior to liquefaction and saccharification was applied. Response surface methodology had been employed in order to optimize the pretreatment step, taking into account the yield of cellulose hydrolysis. Liquefaction of the pretreated bagasse was performed at a specially designed liquefaction chamber at 50 °C for either 12 or 24h using an enzyme loading of 10 FPU/g · DM and 18% DM. Fermentation of liquefacted bagasse was not affected by liquefaction duration and leaded to an ethanol production of 41.43 g/L and a volumetric productivity of 1.88 g/Lh. The addition of extra enzymes at the start up of SSF enhanced both ethanol concentration and volumetric productivity by 16% and 17% after 12 and 24h saccharification, respectively.