An Insight into the Valorization of Hemicellulose Fraction of Biomass into Furfural: Catalytic Conversion and Product Separation

Abstract

The global impetus to produce alternatives for the petroleum-based fuels and value-added chemicals in order to reduce greenhouse gases is currently emphasizing stringent need on the industries to diversify and valorize byproducts. This further aims at the valorization of agroindustrial by-product into furfural. A thorough investigation of research advances particularly, the pretreatment of biomass, a pertinent reaction mechanism in furfural production, separation of furfural and the various used catalysts were explored in the current review. The biomass, which contains fiber, lignin, pentosans, and pith, can be converted into furfural by the application of suitable chemical, biochemical and microbial methods. Dilute acid, alkali and hydrothermal pretreatment methods for hemicellulose separation from the biomass matrix were discussed in detail. Studies on the development of an effective and stable catalyst to overcome the limitation of the existing commercial processes were also reviewed. The strategies including the steam stripping, nitrogen stripping, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, mono- and biphasic solvent extractions were investigated in this study, as a way forward towards the removal of furfural from the reaction medium, thereby assisting in the avoidance of the product degradation.