Effect of NaOH on delignification of Saccharum spontaneum

Abstract

Saccharum spontaneum abundantly available in Pakistan has great potential for production of bioethanol due to high cellulosic contents. In the present study, S. spontaneum grass was impregnated in various concentrations of NaOH (0.5%–3% wt/vol) for different soaking periods (1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h). The results showed that relative cellulose contents and delignification increased with the increase in concentration of alkali and soaking time. However, maximum cellulose content and delignification (52.5% and 47.6%) was observed with 2.5% wt/vol NaOH after 24 h of soaking period. In physiochemical pretreatment, the substrate was soaked in alkaline solution for 2 h followed by steaming at 121°C for various intervals (15–60 min). Maximum relative cellulose content (81.2%) was achieved after 60 min while delignification was found 74%. These findings indicated that proper concentration of alkali as well as steaming period at specific temperature play a major role in exposure of maximum cellulosic contents of S. spontaneum to exploit it as a potential substrate for bio‐fuel production. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 284–288, 2016