Methanolysis Fractionation and Catalytic Conversion of Poplar Wood toward Methyl Levulinate, Phenolics, and Glucose

In the present study, methanolysis of poplar biomass was conducted for the selective transformation of hemicellulose and lignin, which leads to methyl glycosides (mainly C5 glycosides) and lignin fragments in the liquefied products that can be separated according to their difference in hydrophilicity. The distribution of methyl glycosides and delignification was dependent on the presence of acid catalysts and reaction temperatures. The obtained lignin fraction was separated into solid lignin fragments and liquid lignin oil according to their molecular weight distribution. Subsequently, directional conversion of methyl C5 glycosides into methyl levulinate was performed with dimethoxymethane/methanol as the cosolvent. A yield of 12-30% of methyl levulinate yield (based on the methyl glycoside) was achieved under these conditions. The remaining cellulose-rich substrate showed enhanced susceptibility to enzymatic hydrolysis, resulting in a yield of glucose of above 70%. Overall, the described strategy shows practical implications for the effective valorization of biomass.

One-pot synthesis of levulinic acid from cellulose in ionic liquids

A simple and effective route for the production of levulinic acid (LA) from cellulose has been developed in SO3H-functionalized ionic liquids. The effects of ionic liquid structures, reaction conditions and combination of metal chlorides with ILs on the yield of LA were investigated, where the highest yield of 39.4% was obtained for 120 min in the presence of 1-(4-sulfonic acid) butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulphate ([BSMim]HSO4) with addition of H2O. The catalytic activities of ionic liquids depended on the anions and decreased in the order: CF3SO3(-)>HSO4(-) > OAc(-), which was in good agreement with their acidity order. The ILs play a dual solvent-acid role for the cellulose conversion into LA and exhibited favorable catalytic activity over four repeated runs.

Separation of galactose, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and levulinic acid in acid hydrolysate of agarose by nanofiltration and electrodialysis

A two-stage membrane process for the separation of galactose, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) and levulinic acid (LA) has been proposed. The first step of nanofiltration (NF) is to remove 5-HMF and LA from galactose solution obtained by the hydrolysis of agarose, the main component of red algal galactan for the reduction of its microbial toxicity. 5-HMF and LA are inhibitory to fermentation but at the same time useful compounds themselves with many applications. The second step of electrodialysis (ED) is to separate 5-HMF and LA in the permeate from NF. More than 91% of 5-HMF and up to 62% of LA could be removed from agarose hydrolysate, while galactose was almost completely retained by NF. Further removal of LA was expected to be possible with no loss of galactose by operating the NF process in a diafiltration mode. 5-HMF and LA could be effectively separated from each other by ED.

Improvement in HPLC separation of acetic acid and levulinic acid in the profiling of biomass hydrolysate

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural could be separated by the Aminex HPX-87H column chromatography, however, the separation and quantification of acetic acid and levulinic acid in biomass hydrolysate have been difficult with this method. In present study, the HPLC separation of acetic acid and levulinic acid on Aminex HPX-87H column has been investigated by varying column temperature, flow rate, and sulfuric acid content in the mobile phase. The column temperature was found critical in resolving acetic acid and levulinic acid. The resolution for two acids increased dramatically from 0.42 to 1.86 when the column temperature was lowered from 60 to 30 °C. So did the capacity factors for levulinic acid that was increased from 1.20 to 1.44 as the column temperature dropped. The optimum column temperature for the separation was found at 45 °C. Variation in flow rate and sulfuric acid concentration improved not as much as the column temperature did.

Nest Liquid Resources of Several Cavity Nesting Bees in the Genus Centris and the Identification of a Preservative, Levulinic Acid

Twig-nesting species of bees in the genus Centris including C. bicornuta, C. analis, C. vittata, and C. nitida, found in the dry forest of Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica, provision their nests with pollen and nectar, rather than pollen and oil as reported for other Centris species. The liquid contents of the nests of these four species were found to contain sugars including 66-75% fructose, 25-33% glucose, and a trace of sucrose. The sugar concentration averaged 47.2%, slightly higher than most flower nectars. No tri-, di-, or monoglycerides, the main components of the flower oil of Byrsonima crassifolia, were detected in the nest provisions. Although these four Centris species are also known to collect oil from B. crassifolia, the oil appears to be used for activities other than nest provisioning. The liquid nest contents did have a slight goat-like odor, suggesting the presence of short-chain fatty acids, and were found to contain a small amount (less than 1%) of three fatty acids. Two of these, butanoic and octanoic acid, were found in trace amounts and are responsible for the goat-like odor. A third was identified as levulinic acid, which made up about 99% of the nest fatty acid contents. This fatty acid had little odor, but may be important as a fungicidal agent. Attempts to determine the source of the fatty acids, were not successful.