Hydrolysis Of Residues Research Articles

Comparison of Combustion Kinetics of the Biomass Hydrolysis Residue with Raw Biomass Materials

The biomass hydrolysis residue (BHR) is the residue consisting of mainly lignin after the biomass-to-ethanol process. A combustion kinetic comparison of the biomass material (BM), BHR, and three ma...

Hydro-Pyrolysis and Catalytic Upgrading of Biomass and Its Hydroxy Residue Fast Pyrolysis Vapors

Fast pyrolysis of Miscanthus, its hydrolysis residue and lignin were carried with a pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) followed by online vapor catalytic upgrading with sulfated ZrO2, sulfated TiO2 and sulfated 60 wt.% ZrO2-TiO2. The most evident influence of the catalyst on the vapor phase composition was observed for aromatic hydrocarbons, light phenols and heavy phenols. A larger amount of light phenols was detected, especially when 60 wt.% ZrO2-TiO2 was present. Thus, a lower average molecular weight and lower viscosity of bio-oil could be obtained with this catalyst. Pyrolysis was also performed at different pressures of hydrogen. The pressure of H2 has a great effect on the overall yield and the composition of biomass vapors. The peak area percentages of both aromatic hydrocarbons and cyclo-alkanes are enhanced with the increasing of H2 pressure. The overall yields are higher with the addition of either H2 or sulfated catalysts. This is beneficial as phenols are valuable chemicals, thus, increasing the value of bio-oil. The results show that the hydrolysis residue has the potential to become a resource for phenol production.

Molten salt and air induced nitrogen-containing graphitic hierarchical porous biocarbon nanosheets derived from kitchen waste hydrolysis residue for energy storage

Herein, the feasibility to fabricate nitrogen-containing biocarbon material from kitchen waste hydrolysis residue by a molten salt-air -assisted synthetic strategy is investigated. Hierarchical porosity and graphitic carbon nanosheet structure are found for the developed biocarbon. The porosity is mainly induced by O2 and the specific surface area of biocarbon (fabricated in air) reaches 818.65 m2 g−1, much higher than that of O2-free sample (11.84 m2 g−1). Meanwhile, the heteroatom (e.g. N) is also retained and introduced into carbon structure even in air atmosphere. It is also suggested that O2 may accelerate a destructive effect on the order of graphitic structure, while the molten salts of NaCl and KCl play the roles of graphitization catalyst and sealing agent, promoting the graphitization of biocarbon. When the developed biocarbon is applied as electrode material, the as-assembled symmetric supercapacitor exhibits a high energy density of 11.7 Wh kg−1 in 1 M Na2SO4. Forthermore, the applicability of current strategy for industrial biocarbon fabrication is verified by salt recycling test and ten times scale-up trail experiment, which shows great potential for green and large-scale production of advanced carbon materials from biomass precursors, for exmple, kitchen waste hydrolysis residue.

A kinetic study on the hydrolysis of corncob residues to levulinic acid in the FeCl3–NaCl system

Levulinic acid (LA) production from corncob acid hydrolysis residues (CAHR) using FeCl3 as Lewis acid catalyst in green solutions of salt was investigated. The reaction kinetic relationships were determined in the temperature range of 160–180 °C, with FeCl3 concentrations of 0.12–0.36 M, and a reaction time of 0–60 min. The maximum LA concentration of 59.0 mol% (24.5 g/L) was achieved at 170 °C in a 30% NaCl solution containing 0.24 M FeCl3. A pseudo first-order kinetic model was proposed to describe the cellulose deconstruction to LA. The model agreed perfectly with the evolution in the concentrations of the major compounds such as glucose, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and LA during the CAHR hydrolysis. The kinetic model developed for CAHR was in good agreement with that previously developed for other lignocellulosic systems. Based on our kinetic model and reaction system, the LA yield is increased at the lower end of the temperature range with the higher acid concentrations. The results indicated that the concentrated seawater after desalination could be a green solvent in the biorefinery.

Subcritical CO2-assisted autohydrolysis for the co-production of oligosaccharides and fermentable sugar from corn straw

Subcritical CO2-assisted autohydrolysis pretreatment for oligosaccharides and fermentable sugars production from corn straw was investigated. The result showed that the prehydrolysate was rich in xylose, and among the xylose, about 90.2% existed in the form of xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS), as well as the functional XOS (DP < 5) took up about 40%. Few inhibitors were formed during the pretreatment and there was almost no effect on subsequent fermentation. Additionally, the highest glucose yield was 90.6% (32.8 g/100 g corn straw) in enzyme hydrolysate and 89.4% (21.2 g/100 g corn straw) of lignin was recovered in the enzymatic hydrolysis residue. The proposed pretreatment method was an effective way to improve corn straw enzymatic hydrolysis with little lignin degradation. Furthermore, the characterization data were also obtained through the analysis of optimally pretreated solids (pretreatment conditions: 170 °C, 5 Mpa CO2 and 40 min residence time) by using HSQC, XRD, FTIR, SEM and TG, which revealed that the XOS was mainly (1 → 4)-β-D-xylan and hemicellulose removal affected subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis dramatically. This study provided an environmentally friendly and economical approach for the co-production of oligosaccharides and fermentable sugars from corn straw that can both be further converted into biomass energy.

Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Photocatalytic Reforming of Pinewood (Pinus ponderosa)-Derived Acid Hydrolysis Residue for Hydrogen and Bio-oil Production

Pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) is a prerequisite for downstream bioconversion of its cellulosic components to second-generation biofuels. Acid hydrolysis pretreatment separates most of the hemicellulose and cellulose from lignin. However, the lignin-rich acid hydrolysis residue (AHR) may contain 20–50 wt % feedstock biomass. To improve the economics of LCB-based biorefinery, the AHR needs to be valorized. In this study, we have performed hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of AHR derived from the dilute acid treatment of pinewood for H₂ and bio-oil generation. A slurry of AHR at a biomass-to-water ratio of 1:30 was hydrothermally liquefied in the presence of a homogeneous Ni(NO₃)₂ catalyst at 250, 275, and 300 °C. About 16 wt % bio-oil and 51 mL of H₂ were generated at 300 °C and 60 min into the reaction. Based on elemental analysis, the higher heating value of bio-oil was found to be 29.8 MJ/kg. The aqueous coproduct generated during the HTL reaction was treated with activated carbon and subjected to the photocatalytic reforming (PR) process in the presence of a Pt/TiO₂ catalyst that produced an additional 90 mL of H₂ at NTP conditions. Preliminary calculations were performed to understand the energy recovery in terms of the products generated based on the total energy consumed for both HTL and PR processes.

Pretreatment of cotton spinning residues for optimal enzymatic hydrolysis: A case study using green solvents

The effectiveness of imidazole and ionic liquid pretreatments for the conversion of cotton spinning residues (dirty cotton residue - DCR and cotton filter powder – CFP) into soluble sugars was investigated. DCR was pretreated with imidazole using temperatures and reaction times that were arranged in a 22 factorial design and pretreatment performance was evaluated by enzymatic hydrolysis. High glucan to glucose and xylan to xylose yields (78.0 and 94.9 mol %) were obtained from the solids produced at 140 °C and 2 h (center point), which provided delignification levels of 45.5% (w·v−1). The same pretreatment condition was applied to CFP yielding only 16.0% (w·v−1) of delignification, but 75.8 mol % of glucan and 95.7 mol % of xylan were converted as their corresponding monomeric sugars after enzymatic hydrolysis. Both pretreated materials were subjected to a central composite design to find the best enzymatic hydrolysis conditions regarding substrate total solids (TS) and enzyme loading. More than 40 g·L−1 glucose was obtained from both pretreated materials at 13.7% w·w−1 TS and 20 FPU·g−1 glucan after 96 h of hydrolysis. Ionic liquid pretreatment of the same cotton spinning residues showed moderate delignification levels, accompanied by a change in biomass crystallinity from cellulose Iβ to cellulose II. This turned to be very important to improve enzymatic hydrolysis yields. Therefore, biomass delignification and crystallinity confirmed to be key factors governing the enzymatic saccharification of cotton spinning residues.

Influence of molecular structure on the susceptibility of starch to α-amylase

The effect of the molecular structure of sweet potato (SPS), cassava (CAS) and high amylose maize (HAS) starches on the susceptibility to fungal and maltogenic α-amylases was investigated. The logarithm of the slope (LOS) and non-linear least-squares (NLLS) methods were used for fitting hydrolysis kinetics data. The malto-oligosaccharides released during hydrolysis were quantified and the hydrolysis residues were analyzed. The hydrolysis kinetic curves were well fitted to the LOS and NLLS models. SPS, CAS and HAS were hydrolyzed in one single phase by fungal α-amylase while two hydrolysis phases were identified for the root starches and a single phase for HAS, when maltogenic α-amylase was used. The lowest percentage of residual starch was found for CAS, independent of enzyme source, due to the high proportion of amylopectin short chains in this starch. On the other hand, the high proportion of HAS long chains contributed to its increased starch degradation rate coefficient during fungal α-amylase hydrolysis, while the high amylose content favored the endo-action pattern of maltognic α-amylase. Independent of starch source, malto-oligosaccharides of different sizes, especially G2-G5, were released after the fungal α-amylase action which hydrolyzes mainly inner and long amylopectin chains. Mainly maltose was produced in the maltogenic α-amylase hydrolysis which breaks the outer amylopectin chains by exo-action and amylose chains by endo-action. The starch molecular structure strongly interferes in both enzyme susceptibility and the action mechanism, as well as in the distribution and amount of products released.

Exploring the action of endoglucanases on bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp as potential catalyst for isolation of cellulose nanocrystals.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) is a high-value and emerging bionanomaterial with an increasing number of applications. The action of endoglucanases (EGs) from fungal and bacterial sources belonging to three glycosyl hydrolase (GH) families were investigated on bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp as potential catalysts to prepare CNC. Fungal GH7EG was the most efficient in hydrolysis and fiber fragmentation without altering crystallinity and crystallite size. Fiber fragmentation promoted by fungal GH45EG was similar to that observed for GH7EG, although it released a smaller amount of sugar. Bacterial GH5EG resulted in very low hydrolysis yield and practically did not fragment the fibers, resulting in a hydrolysis residue with characteristics very similar to the initial material. GH45EG was the only EG that affected the crystallinity and crystallite size and also the only enzyme capable of isolating nanoparticles. The isolated nanoparticles had very narrow width distribution range of 6-10 nm and length distribution range of 400-600 nm. Supplementation of β-glucosidase and conventional mechanical refining as a pretreatment did not improve the release of nanoparticles. Despite catalyzing the same biochemical reaction, different EGs displayed very distinct action during hydrolysis. The reported strong binding of GH45EG's CBM to the cellulose and the lack of increased accessibility of the enzyme to new substrate likely allowed continuous hydrolysis of the few fibers available, resulting in the isolation of cellulose nanoparticles.

Comprehensive thermochemical utilization of biomass residues from furfural plants and ELW technology

In a diluted sulfuric acid/toluene system with an extremely low water/solid ratio (short in the ELW system), hemicellulose from corncob is quickly converted to furfural with high yields (>60 mol%). In order to establish an economic and effective biorefinery system, further research about the use of ELW residues is needed. Through the composition analysis, FTIR analysis and Raman analysis, it was found that the weak carbonization characteristics of ELW residue, and the hydrocarbonization mechanism was explained based on the thin acidic aqueous film hypothesis. Taking the furfural plant hydrolysis residue (short in FP residue) as a control, this research comprehensively compared the potential of ELW residue and plant residue as solid fuels for combustion, pyrolysis (conventional pyrolysis and rapid pyrolysis) and high value utilization. In conclusion, the high calorific value and conventional pyrolysis products of ELW residue were similar to FP residue; but the yield of levoglucosan from ELW residue was 2.53 times higher than that of FP residue, which was 51.78% and 20.43% of theoretical yield, respectively. This paper shows a comprehensive biorefinery system combined with an advanced technology for furfural production (ELW system) and an effective thermochemical means to achieve the maximum utilization efficiency of resources.

Enhanced mechanical strength of polyethylene-based lignocellulosic-plastic composites by cellulose fibers

Wood flour (WF) of poplar, acid hydrolysis residue (AHR) of corn cob from xylose production, and cellulose fibers (CF) from bleached eucalyptus pulp were compared as functional fillers of lignocellulosic-plastic composites (LPC) in terms of tensile strength and thermal stability. WF showed a negative effect on tensile strength of LPC. AHR-filled LPC at 10% of filling level exhibited an improvement by 8.9%, whereas higher filling level led to a decrease of tensile strength due to poor interfacial compatibility, as revealed by SEM analysis. Remarkably, tensile strength achieved a maximum of 25.8 MPa for CF-filled LPC at 2.5% of filling level, which was an approximately 76.7% improvement compared to the control. Dependence of LPC thermal stability on chemical compositions of fillers was revealed. WF-filled LPC showed a lower onset decomposition temperature compared to the control due to the presence of xylan, while thermal stability of AHR-filled LPC was enhanced due to the presence of cross-linked phenolic polymer lignin.

A high-efficiency hydrocyclone designed by response surface methodology for acid hydrolysis residue recycling.

A high-efficiency hydrocyclone was designed by response surface methodology to evaluate the recycling of acid hydrolysis residues from titanium dioxide (TiO2) production as a study case. TiO2 is an important product and the world's best white pigment. During its production from ilmenite (FeTiO3) by the sulfuric acid method, the incomplete reaction produces large amounts of residue, which also contain unreacted ilmenite. Large amounts of residue are generally accumulated without any treatment. Hydrocyclone use is regarded as a method for separating and recovering chemicals from process residues by which the unreacted components can be recycled efficiently. However, hydrocyclones designed by conventional procedures may have some limitations regarding classification sharpness. In this paper, numerical experiments and laboratory tests were performed to evaluate the classification sharpness of various hydrocyclone designs. Response surface methodology was used to optimize hydrocyclones with different structural configurations. Based on the response models, a designed hydrocyclone with a high sharpness of classification of particles was constructed. The sharpness of the newly designed hydrocyclone increased from 80.5% to 93.3%. The vortex finder separated approximately 89.9% of the fine particles in impurities, while 51.0% of TiO2 was recycled by the spigot. The hydrocyclone proposed in this paper properly minimizes the risk of environmental pollution caused by TiO2 production and provides a significant estimated cost savings.

Temperature sensitivity of different soil carbon pools under biochar addition.

The objective of this study was to investigate the temperature sensitivity of labile and relatively recalcitrant forest soil carbon (C) pools amended with biochar during short-term incubation. Biochars were prepared using sugar cane residue under pyrolysis temperatures of 300 and 700°C (i.e., BC300 and BC700), respectively. Coarse particulate organic matter and acid hydrolysis residue were separated from a forest soil and treated as the labile and recalcitrant C pools of the soil, respectively. Temperature sensitivity of the soil C pools was characterized using the Q10 values (i.e., the proportional increase in respiration per 10°C rise). The increased Q10 values of treatments in the earlier stage were attributable to instantaneously increased aromatic C content. The following decreased Q10 values were related to the consumption of labile C. However, the two types of biochars led to similar Q10 values in the same C pools at the later stage of incubation, which was closely related to the nearly humic-like component content in the dissolved organic matter. The different temporal distributions of Q10 values were attributable to changes of aromatic C content and continuous consumption of labile components.

Production of a water-soluble protein powder from anchovy and soybean meal by endogenous enzymatic hydrolysis and solid-state fermentation

Anchovy (Engraulis japonicus), a small, low-valued, marine fish, and soybean meal (Glycine max), a by-product of soybean oil extraction, are both abundant protein resources (approximately 65 and 46 g per 100 g dry weight, respectively). In this study, water-soluble protein powder from anchovy and soybean meal was obtained by two processes, anchovy endogenous enzymatic hydrolysis (stage 1), and solid-state fermentation of anchovy hydrolysis residue and soybean meal (stage 2). The parameters of hydrolysis stage were optimized with single factor experiments and fermentation stage was optimized using central composite design and validated. Maximum protein recovery (91%) was achieved. The protein was successfully converted into a low molecular weight powder for potential use in supplementation of animal and human diets. Furthermore, anti-nutritional factors mainly composed of 7S, 11S globulin and oligosaccharide in soybean meal were effectively degraded. This work provides a value-added method for novel protein from anchovy and soybean meal. Practical applications Obtaining protein yields from readily available resource materials is essential in overcoming the protein resource shortage. This work provides a novel technique for the advanced utilization of low-value resources. The product obtained in this study contained abundant peptides, and the amino acid composition, such as the percentage of essential amino acid and flavor amino acid in water-soluble protein was more reasonable than the raw material. The results of this study are suitable for the industrial production of food or feed additive.

Simulation analysis on the separation characteristics and motion behavior of particles in a hydrocyclone

We evaluated the effect of particle size and associated dynamics on a hydrocyclone separation process in order to understand the movement of the particle trajectories inside the hydrocyclone via numerical analysis, with particles of acid hydrolysis residues discharged in TiO2 production via the sulfate method as a case study. The values obtained from the numerical simulation were successfully compared with those from experimental tests in the literature, allowing a description of the dynamics of the particles, their acting forces, and their relevant properties together with separation efficiency. The results showed that particle motion is jointly controlled by the drag force, the pressure gradient force and the centrifugal force. With increasing particle size, the influence of the drag force is weakened, whereas that of the centrifugal force and pressure gradient is strengthened. Factors including particle density, slurry viscosity, and inlet slurry flow rate also contribute to a clear and useful understanding of particle motion behavior in the hydrocyclone as a method for improving the separation efficiency.

Physicochemical, functional properties and ATR‐FTIR digestion analysis of thermally treated starches isolated from black and bayo beans

Previous studies have related the slow digestion properties of isolated starches with their amylose to amylopectin ratio as well as their molecular structure, and in the case of flours, with their accompanying components such as proteins and fibers; which are known to restrict, to different extents the starch digestion by amylolytic enzymes. However, the botanical origin as well as the internal architecture of native starch granules plays a significant role in these characteristics. Moreover, these features can be improved by using hydrothermal treatments, such as heat moisture treatment (HMT) and annealing (ANN), that promote changes to granular architecture, increase internal crystallite order and decrease the amount of amorphous zones. In this study, HMT and ANN treated starches from two bean varieties and a normal maize starch are analyzed in terms of thermal stability, assessed by differential scanning calorimetry, viscosity by rapid visco analysis and in vitro amylolysis. The HMT and ANN treatments promote lower hydrolysis when compared to native granules, due to new and/or improved molecular interactions between starch molecules, assessed by attenuated total reflectance‐fourier transform infra red spectroscopy; such interactions increase the amount of crystalline residues after digestion, which is related with lower water absorption during cooking, and enhanced thermal stability, despite the lower enthalpies in thermal treated starches (≈3 J g−1 in Black bean with HMT). Furthermore, the hydrolysis residues after 120 min of amylolysis present a higher ratio of crystalline regions, that improve with thermal treatments, this demonstrates that these processes increase the order of existing crystallites due to new molecular interactions among starch molecules.

Sequential Production of Methylester, Bioethanol and Briquette from SCG

In this study, methyl-ester, bioethanol and briquette samples were sequentially produced from spent coffee ground. The oil extracted from spent coffee ground with solvent extraction route at hexane to spent coffee ground ratio of 22.5g/g with an extraction time of 30.4min resulting in 11.892% of oil yield. This was comparable with literature values and subsequently used for methyl-ester production experiments using a 1% by wt of NaOH at reaction temperatures and residence times ranging from 50 to 65 °C and 20 to 60min, respectively. The optimization carried out using central composite design methodology gave 81.507% of methyl-ester yield at a reaction temperature of 57.133°C and reaction time (residence time) of 45.117 min with model determination coefficient (R2 ) of 0.9465 while the optimum reducing sugar yield for dilute acid hydrolysis experiments for ranges of operating parameters of temperature (70-100°C) and (1-3M )of H2 SO4 concentrations was found to be 39.161% at a temperature of 98.313°C and H2 SO4 acid concentration of 2.962M.The central composite design optimization results for trans-esterification and dilute acid hydrolysis experiments were verified by running experiments at optimum conditions and in turn resulted 79.65% of Methyl Esteryield(out of 11.892g of oil) and reducing sugars yield of 37.28%(out of the hydrolysate). This implied that the verification experimental results weren’t far from the predicted values so that the experimental results were sufficiently represented by the central composite design models. The bio ethanol produced by simple distillation having alcohol by volume yield of 55% can be considered as a good result and it can be easily concentrated to a fuel grade ethanol by using fractionating column. Moreover, the characteristics of the Methyl Ester produced were in good agreement with ASTM and EN standards. The end product of the process which is briquette has been produced from 75% wt of dilute acid hydrolysis residue and 25% wt of glycerol, resulted a calorific value of 13.35MJ/kg, volatile matter value of 88.15%, ash content of 3.95%, and fixed carbon contents of 1.74% with its easily moldable physical status showed that it can as well be used for fueling purpose like firewood and charcoal. This study signifies the value addition that can be affected from spent coffee ground and the potential and results obtained in this regard are discussed.

Improvement of in vitro ileal dry matter digestibility by non-starch polysaccharide degrading enzymes and phytase is associated with decreased hindgut fermentation

Efficacy of 11 non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) degrading enzymes (NSP-EZ) was evaluated when added to wheat middlings (WM) or corn distillers dried grains with solubles (cDDGS) using in vitro enzymatic digestion followed by fecal fermentation. For the in vitro enzymatic digestion, NSP-EZ and phytase (10,000 FTU/g) solution were added to WM and cDDGS samples at 20 times of the suppliers’ recommended doses. After enzymatic digestion, the hydrolyzed residues were filtered, dried, and pooled for subsequent inocubation in a buffered mineral solution with feces from pigs fed corn and soybean meal based diets. Gas production during fermentation was measured for 72 h, and its kinetics were analyzed by fitting data to an exponential model. The fermentation residues were filtered, and the supernatant was analyzed for concentration of VFA. Addition of NSP-EZ increased (P > 0.05) digestibility of dry matter (3.2%) and energy (4.2%) and solubilization of glucose and protein in WM, but not in cDDGS. During fermentation, the hydrolysis residue from WM treated with NSP-EZ had less (P < 0.05) maximal gas production, greater time to reach half asymptote, and less concentration of SCFA compared with WM control. Fermentation of WM resulted in greater (P < 0.05) disappearance of dry matter (IVFDM) than WM with added NSP-EZ. but there were no differences among cDDGS with or without NSP-EZ. The NSP-EZ containing xylanase activity had a lower (P < 0.01) fractional rates of degradation at T/2 (μT/2) and tended (P = 0.073) to have a lower IVFDM in WM compared with those without xylanase activity. In summary, exogenous NSP-EZ increase in vitro ileal digestibility of dry matter and GE in WM, but decreased fermentation of WM enzymatic residues. These results imply that fiber structure of WM may be modified by NSP-EZ, which may result in partial degradation during small intestine hydrolysis, but fiber in hydrolysis residues appears to be resistant to subsequent microbial fermentation.

Biochemical analysis of GTPase FlhF which controls the number and position of flagellar formation in marine Vibrio

FlhF controls the number and position of the polar flagellar formation of Vibrio species. FlhF, is a paralog of FtsY, a GTPase acting in the Sec membrane transport system of bacteria, and localizes at the cell pole. Mutations in the conserved GTPase motif of FlhF lost polar localization capability and flagellar formation. Vibrio FlhF has not, until now, been purified as soluble protein. Here, we report that addition of MgCl2 and GTP or GDP at the step of cell lysis greatly improved the solubility of FlhF, allowing us to purify it in homogeneity. Purified FlhF showed GTPase activity only in the presence of FlhG. Of twelve FlhF GTPase motif mutants showing reduced function, eleven were recovered as precipitate after the cell disruption. The E440K substitution could be purified and showed no GTPase activity even in the presence of FlhG. Interestingly an FlhF substitution in the putative catalytic residue for GTP hydrolysis, R334A, allowed normal flagellar formation although GTPase activity of FlhF was completely abolished. Furthermore, size exclusion chromatography of purified FlhF revealed that it forms dimers in the presence of GTP but exists as monomer in the presence of GDP. We speculate that the GTP binding allows FlhF to dimerize and localize at the pole where it initiates flagellar formation, and the GDP-bound form diffuses as monomer.

Preparation of Lignosulfonates from Biorefinery Lignins by Sulfomethylation and Their Application as a Water Reducer for Concrete.

Lignosulfonate (LG), a water-soluble polymer from sulfite pulping process of lignocellulosic biomass, has been commercially applied as admixture for concrete. In this work, lignosulfonates were produced from alkaline lignin (AL) and enzymatic hydrolysis residue (EHR) by sulfomethylation and these lignosulfonates as water reducers for concrete were then evaluated. Results showed that 94.9% and 68.9% of lignins in AL and EHR could be sulfonated under optimum sulfomethylation conditions, respectively. The sulfonic groups in lignosulfonates from AL (AL-LG) and EHR (EHR-LG) were 1.6 mmol/g and 1.0 mmol/g, respectively. Surface tension and zeta potential analysis indicated that both AL-LG and EHR-LG can be potentially used to as dispersant for improving the fluidity of the cement paste, similarly to commercial lignosulfonate (CM-LG). Adding 0.2 wt % of AL-LG, EHR-LG, and CM-LG in the concrete, the compressive strength (28 days) of concretes increased from 38.4 Mpa to 41.6, 42.6, and 40.9 Mpa, respectively. These findings suggest that the lignosulfonate from biorefinery lignin by sulfomethylation can meet the industrial standards as water reducers for cement admixtures.