Conversion Of Wood Research Articles

Valorization of lignin-rich solid residues from different eucalyptus wood conversion processes as oil structurants via electrospinning

The growing demand for sustainable materials has been driving research towards the use of biopolymers from natural resources. This study explores the valorization of lignin-rich solid residues derived from different eucalyptus wood conversion processes, specifically autohydrolysis (AHL), steam-explosion (SEL), and kraft pulping (EKL), via electrospinning. The potential of these electrospun nanostructures as eco-friendly oil structurant is investigated for lubricant applications. Solutions of AHL, SEL, and EKL fractions in a 3:1 v/v trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)/N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) binary solvent were prepared at concentrations of 0.015, 0.03, and 0.05 g/mL. AHL and SEL samples exhibited superior spinnability due to higher carbohydrate content and molecular weight and lower ash content. Increasing the solution concentration to 0.05 g/mL resulted in the consecution of larger average fiber diameters (up to 0.44 and 0.39 μm, for AHL and SEL, respectively) and reduced bead formation. Stable oleo-dispersions were achieved solely with electrospun homogeneous nanofiber mats, while nanostructures predominantly composed of electrosprayed particles, like those obtained with EKL produced physically unstable dispersions from which the oil readily separates. The rheological response and microstructure of oleo-dispersions were significantly affected by both the conversion process of eucalyptus wood and the spinning solution concentration. The rheological properties of the oleo-dispersions can be tailored by modifying the spinning solution concentration, with G′ values ranging from 5·102 to 5·104 Pa and consistency and flow indices roughly ranging from 90 to 990 Pa sn and from 0.06 to 0.19, respectively, depending on the nature of the lignin-rich fraction and the type of electrospun nanostructure employed. These results highlight the potential of electrospun nanostructures obtained from lignin-rich solid residues in advanced materials applications, promoting the valorization of waste streams derived from different biorefinery processes, as well as the development of novel environmentally friendly lubricants.

Sustainable conversion of agricultural waste into solid fuel (Charcoal) via gasification and pyrolysis treatment

Managing agricultural waste by burning it in the fields is a straightforward method, but leads to significant pollution. One promising alternative is to convert agricultural waste into solid fuel, such as charcoal, to support renewable energy from biomass. The quality of barbecue charcoal depends upon selecting suitable materials and employing heating methods to ensure efficient transformation. This research aims to study the charcoal conversion process from agricultural waste using two types of kilns: 1) direct heating (gasification kiln: GK) and 2) indirect heating (pyrolysis kiln: PK) designed to recirculate syngas from wood as fuel for the pyrolysis process. The study tested three types of agricultural waste materials, including coconut shells (CS), cassava rhizome (CR), and acacia wood (AW), to examine the differences in charcoal produced by the two heating methods. The tests revealed that the maximum temperatures inside the kilns were 792.45 ± 127.18 °C, 907.67 ± 37.3 °C, and 980.07 ± 110.56 °C for the GK, and 921.88 ± 57.84 °C, 801.93 ± 10.16 °C, and 937.82 ± 95.85 °C for the PK. The charcoal from the PK exhibited higher calorific values than the GK, with 7474.68 ± 36.62, 6429.04 ± 72.22, and 7268.33 ± 52.86 calories per gram. The charcoal yield was also higher in the PK, at 31.29 ± 4.39, 34.33 ± 3.39, and 17.58 ± 2.09 percent for coconut shells charcoal (CSC), cassava rhizome charcoal (CRC), and acacia wood charcoal (AWC), respectively. However, the PK required more fuel and longer ignition times. The resulting charcoal from the slow pyrolysis process in the PK is suitable as barbecue fuel due to its size, which is similar to the original material. In contrast, the charcoal from the GK, which tends to shrink or break into smaller pieces, is more suitable for grinding into briquettes. This study provides a guideline for producing high-quality barbecue charcoal, offering commercial benefits including the gasification and pyrolysis processes that improve combustion efficiency and reduce pollution by producing high-quality gas for fuel, unlike traditional kilns that emit a large amount of CO during the conversion of wood to charcoal and enabling the selection of appropriate raw materials for different heating methods to maximise the utility of the products. This approach adds value to agricultural raw materials and helps effectively manage agricultural waste (zero waste) for further utilisation and development.

The liquefaction characteristics of poplar under CuMgAlOx catalysis in supercritical methanol

AbstractIn an effort to explore the potential energy of biomass and reduce industrial reliance on fossil fuels, this study investigates the liquefaction of poplar wood using supercritical methanol and a CuMgAlOx catalyst. It assesses the composition of liquefied products and performs a comprehensive life‐cycle assessment. Results display that at 360°C, with 1 h of CuMgAlOx, poplar wood's conversion rate reached 98.4%. The proportion of alcoholic compounds in the liquefaction products increased dramatically from 7.99% without a catalyst to 70.81% with it, a rise of 786.23%. Moreover, the process's global warming potential (GWP) intensity is significantly lower at 0.886 gCO2eq/MJ compared to the 93 gCO2eq/MJ from conventional petroleum refining, underscoring its substantial emission reduction potential.

Investigation of value-added compounds derived from oak wood using hydrothermal processing techniques and comprehensive analytical approaches (HPLC, GC-MS, FT-IR, and NMR)

In this study, slow pyrolysis of oak woods was carried out in a fixed bed tube reactor at four different temperatures ranging from 100 °C to 400 °C and at 5 °C/min speed time intervals. The compositions of the produced bio-tar and bio-oils were determined in detail using FT-IR, GC-MS, HPLC, and NMR devices. Several pyrolysis parameters were carried out to reveal the distribution of pyrolytic products under different pyrolysis temperatures (100–400 °C) and times (1–4 h). During the slow pyrolysis process, oak wood started to decompose to form organic volatile products at a set temperature of 100 °C and reached a maximum yield of volatile products at around 400 °C. GC-MS analyses revealed that different valuable components such as furans, phenolic compounds, carbonyls, linear, aromatic compounds, acids, and hydrocarbons have been formed. Based on the experimental results of the pyrolysis, it has been detected that the temperature and time interval are very effective parameters in the conversion of oak wood to the amount of liquid product.

Conversion of infected pine wood into energy charcoal material based on a transportable carbonization system

To prevent the spread of pine wilt disease (PWD), a transportable carbonization equipment was designed for in-situ treatment of infected pine wood (IPW). The equipment killed all pine wood nematodes (PWNs) in IPW when carbonization temperature was up to 200 °C. The optimal laboratory process of infected pine wood charcoal (IPWC) was carbonization temperature of 500 °C, heating rate of 3 °C min−1 and holding time of 0 min. Based on the optimal laboratory process, the transportable carbonization equipment produced IPWC with a fixed carbon content of 79.82%, and ash content of 1.14% and a moisture content of 7.83%, which meets the requirements of EN 1860-2:2005(E) standard. The economic efficiency of incineration (T1 mode), crushing (T2 mode), and transportable carbonization (T3 mode) was evaluated. For each ton of IPW treatment, the profit generated was −75.48 USD in T1 mode, 26.28 USD in T2 mode, and 51.91 USD in T3 mode. T3 mode had the highest economic efficiency. These findings will be helpful to provide guidance for the control of PWD and value-added utilization of IPW.Graphical

Online Compositional Analysis of Complex Oligomers in Biomass Degradation by High-Pressure Flow-Through Reactor Coupled with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry.

Online analysis of the composition and evolution of complex oligomeric intermediates in biomass degradation is highly desirable to elucidate the mechanism of bond cleavage and study the effect of conditions on the selective conversion of feedstocks. However, harsh reaction conditions and complicated conversion systems pose tremendous challenges for conventional, state-of-the-art analytical techniques. Herein, we introduce a continuous and rapid compositional analysis strategy coupling a high-pressure flow-through reactor with online high-resolution mass spectrometry, which enables the molecular-level characterization of most biomass-related products throughout the conversion for over 2 h. Catalytic depolymerization of one model compound was studied, and temperature-dependent data of over 50 intermediates as well as recondensation dimers and oligomers were obtained, which have rarely been reported in the literature. Thousands of products during the flow-through conversion of birch wood with molecular weights up to 1000 Da were presented, and 8 typical lignin dimers and oligomers with various interunit linkages were identified at the molecular level, demonstrating the potential to analyze more complicated systems far beyond conventional methods, especially for complex oligomers. The continuous evolutions of different components and typical products were unveiled for the first time, providing valuable insights into the investigation of the structure, composition, and decomposition mechanism of lignocellulose as well as the influence of reaction conditions. This method leads to the previously unattained ability to probe and reveal complicated chemical compositions in high-pressure reactions and can be applied to all other high-pressure heterogeneous aqueous reactions.

Synthesis of magnetic biochar derived from waste wood of acacia Auriculiformis for the removal of arsenic

The current study has established a new method to prepare magnetic biochar from waste wood derived from the Acacia Auriculiformis. Slow pyrolysis method was deployed for the conversion of waste wood into biochar. Iron powder was transformed into iron-oxide nanoparticles which were then deposited onto the biochar's surface. The prepared adsorbent contains a high specific surface area of 266.564 m2g−1. SEM images demonstrate the formation of triangular pyramid-shaped nanoparticles in the adsorbent's inner-wall pores. According to XRD peaks, the adsorbent's surface was coated with crystalline, carbonaceous, and Fe3O4. FTIR analysis indicates that multiple aliphatic and aromatic stretching bonds of carbon and hydroxyl bond act as functional groups in the impregnation and arsenic adsorption process. Establishment of best fit model which is Freundlich indicated towards the multi-layer heterogeneous adsorption process. 95 % removal efficiency is achieved with batch study whereas kinetic pseudo 2nd order model represents the adsorption process. Surface mechanism involved electrostatic attraction followed by Bangham equation and Weber Morris intra-particle diffusion and complexation helping in adsorption of the arsenic ions. The maximum capacity of the manufactured biochar is estimated to be 294.1176 mgg−1.

Producing Eucalyptus pellita wood polyol through liquefaction for polyurethane film production

Depending on the reaction conditions, liquefaction of woody biomass produces a variety of polyol properties. The liquefaction of Eucalyptus pellita (EP) wood powder was studied to optimize the liquefaction conditions for maximum yield. The solvent ratio (PEG/glycerol: 0–25%), temperature (140–170 ℃), time (120–150 min) and sulfuric acid as catalyst (1–4%) were varied. The hydroxyl amount (OHA), acid value (AV), and molecular weight (Mw) of the resulting polyol were determined. To study the chemical components and thermal characteristics of resulting polyol, infrared spectra of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric test (TGT) were used. The bio-polyol produced under optimal reaction conditions was then blend with pMDI at different ratio of NCO/OH to prepare E. pellita polyurethane (EPPU) films. Performance of the EPPU film was evaluated by tensile test. The optimum liquefaction reaction conditions resulted in 89.2% EP liquefied wood when the amount of H2SO4 (catalyst) was 3% in a PEG/G (80/20) solvent mixture at 160 ℃ for 150 min. A thorough examination of the liquefied properties reveals that using up to 20% glycerol as a co-solvent is effective in speeding up the liquefaction process, follow-on in high wood conversion with OHA and AV of about 337 mg KOH/g and 3.9 mg KOH/g, respectively. Tensile value improved while elongation at break decreased as the NCO/OH ratios for EPPU film properties increased. The EPPU film obtained at NCO/OH of 2.8 had the highest tensile strength and maximum elongation, at 45.8 MPa and 12.6%, respectively.

Thermo chemical conversion of cedar wood by pyrolysis technology for bio-oil

The conversion of cedar wood which is abundantly found in the forests of Japan, into biofuels and chemicals by externally heated fixed-bed pyrolysis reactor has been taken into consideration in this study. The selected solid biomass in particle form were fed into the reactor by gravity feed type reactor feeder. The output products were liquid (oil), solid char, and gas. The liquid and char products were collected separately while the gas was flared into the atmosphere. The process conditions were found to influence the product yields significantly. The maximum liquid yields were 48 wt% of solid particles at reactor temperature 450 °C for N2 gas flow rate 6 L/min, feed particle size 1180–1700 µm, and running time 30 min. The liquid product obtained at this optimum condition was characterized by physical properties, chemical analysis, and gas chromatograph mass spectrometry techniques. The results show that it is possible to obtain liquid product from cedar wood that are comparable to petroleum fuels and other valuable chemicals.

Thermochemical conversion of wood in levulinic acid and application in the preparation of wood coatings

Thermochemical conversion of wood in levulinic acid and application in the preparation of wood coatings

Evaluation of Sawdust as a Sustainable Dye Source in Ethiopia

Increasing eco-consciousness among consumers is creating an expanding niche market for textiles coloured using natural dyes. Natural dyes are derived from different parts of plants, animals (insects and invertebrates) and minerals. Although plant sources are common, a growing global population makes them compete with food crops. Hence, there is a need to investigate alternate avenues for procuring natural dyes. This research examined the feasibility of utilizing extractions of sawdust, a waste product of the wood furniture industry, as a natural colorant. Sawdust is an inevitable waste generated during the conversion of wood into consumer products such as furniture (tables, chairs, etc.), doors and windows. Sawdust, generated in significant amounts by timber mills, may be used in chipboard manufacture. However, the furniture industry disposes of sawdust as fuel or sometimes as communal waste. In this study, segregated sawdust of the most common woods was collected from Ethiopian furniture houses in Addis Ababa and Bahir Dar. Dyeing was attempted on cotton and wool fabrics using individual aqueous extractions. Different shades were obtained only on wool by simultaneous mordanting with mordants, such as copper sulphate, ferrous sulphate and potassium dichromate, using the exhaust dyeing method. Acceptable fastness to light, perspiration, rubbing and washing, as evaluated according to the relevant ISO standards, was obtained. It may be concluded that sawdust is a viable secondary source of natural dyes for textile coloration in Ethiopia and elsewhere.

A review of Canadian wood conversion technologies for the production of fuels and chemicals

AbstractCanada has 347 million ha of forest cover, contributing to the potential large availability of wood‐based resources. Although Canada's forest sector contributed $23.7 billion to the national nominal gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019, the GDP contribution of the wood product manufacturing subsector shrank by 6%. To reposition the Canadian forest industry, new forest management practices and wood‐based conversion technologies should be applied. In this context, the use of woody biomass in biorefineries to produce clean energy, fuels, and chemicals is becoming increasingly significant. There is a need to understand the current status and challenges of the wood‐based biomass conversion technologies that have been and are being developed in Canada. This information will help decision‐makers in formulating and implementing forest sector‐related policies for a sustainable bioeconomy in Canada. This study is focused on a review of Canadian woody biomass conversion technologies. Our critical review identified considerable potential biomass conversion technologies specialized for woody feedstock, all in the Canadian setting. We focused on the prospects of revitalizing Canada's pulp and paper industry through the integration of pre‐treatment processes and biochemical technologies. The thermochemical conversion pathway was identified as the dominant route for woody feedstock valorization. The review also identified pathways with the potential to diversify the existing product mix that generate products from wood streams, such as chemicals and biomaterials. Most of the biochemical and thermochemical research done in institutional and multi‐institutional research collaborations from laboratory scale to industrial scale will boost the chances of the commercialization of a wood‐based biorefinery in Canada.

Effect of particle shape on biomass pyrolysis in a bubbling fluidized bed

The effect of biomass particle shape on the conversion of beech wood during pyrolysis in a bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) was experimentally quantified. A lab-scale BFB installed on a high-precision scale was used to characterize the mass loss of the biomass particles immersed in the bed. The scale could monitor the mass loss of the beech wood particles while moving freely inside the bed, which was operated at 2.5 times the minimum fluidization velocity of the bed material employed. The tests were performed at 500 and 600 °C using beech wood particles of the same mass, but different in shape. All particles used were cylindrical in shape, with the same mass, and differing in their aspect ratio, analyzing particles from typical biomass chips to standard biomass pellets. The experimental results indicate that the velocity of pyrolysis for the different particles is proportional to the characteristic heat transfer length of the particles, with pyrolysis times ranging from 27 to 53 s for a bed temperature of 600 °C and from 43 to 85 s for a bed temperature of 500 °C. The minimum pyrolysis time was obtained for particles with a diameter of 20 mm and a length of 2 mm pyrolyzing in a bed at 600 °C, whereas the maximum pyrolysis time corresponds to particles of 10 mm in diameter and 8 mm in length converting in a bed at 500 °C. Estimations of the conversion time obtained from a Shrinking Unreacted Particle Model (SUPM), assuming a constant density and reducing volume of biomass during conversion, and a Uniform Conversion Model (UCM), considering uniform volume and decreasing density of biomass along the conversion process, were compared to experimental measurements of the conversion time. Qualitative agreement was found between the experimental values and the predictions of the conversion time from the simplified models, obtaining in all cases conversion times proportional to the characteristic length of heat transfer of each particle shape.

Tailor-made alkaliphilic and thermostable fungal laccases for industrial wood processing

BackgroundDuring the kraft process to obtain cellulosic pulp from wood, most of the lignin is removed by high-temperature alkaline cooking, released in the black liquors and usually incinerated for energy. However, kraft lignins are a valuable source of phenolic compounds that can be valorized in new bio-based products. The aim of this work is to develop laccases capable of working under the extreme conditions of high temperature and pH, typical of the industrial conversion of wood into kraft pulp and fibreboard, in order to provide extremophilic biocatalysts for depolymerising kraft lignin, and enzyme-assisted technologies for kraft pulp and fibreboard production.ResultsThrough systematic enzyme engineering, combining enzyme-directed evolution and rational design, we changed the optimal pH of the laccase for oxidation of lignin phenols from acidic to basic, enhanced the catalytic activity at alkaline pH and increased the thermal tolerance of the enzyme by accumulating up to eight mutations in the protein sequence. The extremophilic laccase variants show maximum activity at 70 °C and oxidize kraft lignin at pH 10. Their integration into industrial-type processes saves energy and chemicals. As a pre-bleaching stage, the enzymes promote kraft pulp bleachability and significantly reduce the need for chlorine dioxide compared to the industrial sequence. Their application in wood chips during fibreboard production, facilitates the defibering stage, with less energy required.ConclusionsA set of new alkaliphilic and thermophilic fungal laccases has been developed to operate under the extreme conditions of high temperature and pH typical of industrial wood conversion processes. For the first time basidiomycete laccases of high-redox potential show activity on lignin-derived phenols and polymeric lignin at pH 10. Considering the extreme conditions of current industrial processes for kraft pulp and fibreboard production, the new tailor-made laccases constitute a step forward towards turning kraft pulp mills into biorefineries. Their use as biocatalysts in the wood conversion sector is expected to support the development of more environmentally sound and efficient processes, and more sustainable products.

Substitution of fossil-energy intensive building materials by wood products – Does it matter? A case study from Western Norway

Forest management is an important tool for GHG mitigation by representing three carbon pools: living biomass, forest soil, and wood-based products. Additionally, increasing attention has been given to the potential for wood products to substitute fossil-intensive products as a climate mitigation strategy. The goal of this paper is to analyse the theoretical GHG effects of fully replacing four common non-wood products with wood-based products of ‘low’ and ‘high’ technology options that have a similar functionality: (1) Spruce particle board substituting polyurethane (PU) foam insulation board; (2) spruce cross-laminated timber beam (CLT) substituting steel beam; (3) birch energy wood substituting electric heating; and (4) birch plywood substituting plaster board. The analysis was based on forestry in Western Norway as a case study, where forests typically consist of naturally generated birch and expanding areas of planted Norway spruce. In this study we compare wood products derived from paired stands of Norway spruce and downy birch. The analysis showed that spruce gave a higher theoretical substitution effect relative to birch for the selected pairs of woody and non-woody products. CLT substituting steel beam gave the highest substitution effect, approximately 15% higher than particle board substituting PU foam board. The theoretical substitution effect in mass units of carbon per kg wood product for the two spruce wood products was approximately 17 times higher relative to substituting Norwegian hydro energy-based electric heating, whereas plywood substituting plaster board may in fact increase GHG emissions. As the gross emissions were relatively similar for the birch plywood and the spruce particle board, the major substitution effect was related to the avoided emission of the non-woody product rather than to the tree species per se. The paper concludes that the choice of product to be substituted was the key factor that determined the final substitution effects. Furthermore, the study showed that transportation was the single most important factor that affected the emissions between planting and delivery of the timber at production gate. The analysis enables informed decisions related to CO2-emissions at the various steps from tree planting to wood conversion, and underline the importance of informed decision related to the choice of substitution products.

Microwave-assisted synthesized renewable carbon nanofiber/nickel oxide for high-sensitivity detection of H2O2

• Preparation of high activity CNFs/NiO via microwave conversion of alder wood. • First report on preparation of renewable CNFs/NiO for high-sensitivity detection of H 2 O 2 . • The sensitivity of CNFs/NiO electrode can reach 304.2 µA cm −2 mM −1 . • The catalytic mechanism analysis for high-sensitivity detection of H 2 O 2 by renewable CNFs/NiO. In the present study, carbon nanofibe (CNFs) with a highly defective structure were prepared via microwave pyrolysis of H 2 O 2 activated alder wood. The nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) were anchored on the surface of the carbon nanofibers with the aid of microwave hydrothermal treatment. The electrochemical reactivity of the carbon nanofiber/nickel oxide electrode was evaluated for nonenzymatic H 2 O 2 detection and exhibited a fast response speed (within 1 s), high sensitivity (304.2 µA cm −2 mM −1 ), wide linear working range (0.1 µM to 3489.9 µM), low detection limit (0.57 µM), and good reproducibility, anti-interference and stability. For tap water, the prepared electrode was shown the recovery and RSD of H 2 O 2 between 94.7 and 98.9 % and 2.6–5.4 %, respectively as well the recovery and RSD of H 2 O 2 in river water samples reached 101.2–104 % and 2.8–4.7 %, respectively. The catalytic mechanism of hydrogen peroxide by using the prepared carbon nanofibers/nickel oxide was analyzed.

Biochar as an Alternative Soil Amendment for Establishment of Northern Highbush Blueberry

Biochar, as a soil amendment, has been reported to improve plant growth by increasing soil moisture and retaining nutrients. In a previous 12-week greenhouse study with highbush blueberry (Vaccinium hybrid), we found that amending soil with biochar alone or in combination with bokashi (fermented wheat bran) increased plant growth relative to unamended soil. The biochar was produced from mixed conifer species during conversion of wood to energy. In the current study, we aimed to validate the greenhouse findings under field conditions in western Oregon. The specific objectives of this 2-year study were to determine the effect of amending soil with biochar or a combination of biochar and bokashi on growth and early fruit production during establishment of northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). To achieve these objectives, we transplanted ‘Duke’ blueberry plants into soil that was either unamended or amended with biochar or 4:1 (v/v) mixtures of biochar and bokashi or biochar and douglas fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] sawdust. Each amendment was either applied in the planting hole or incorporated into the row. A treatment with douglas fir sawdust incorporated into the row was also included and represented the industry standard for the region. Plants grown in soil amended with biochar (in the planting hole or row) had 40% to 74% greater total dry weight at the end of the first growing season and 70% to 82% greater fruit yield in the second season than those grown with no amendments or in soil amended with sawdust. However, leaf Mg concentrations were lower with biochar, suggesting it could limit Mg uptake in blueberry. Soil amended with sawdust, on the other hand, was higher in organic matter, microbial activity, and wet stable aggregates than the other soil treatments but resulted in lower leaf N concentrations during the second year after planting. Unlike in the greenhouse study, biochar had no effect on root colonization by mycorrhizal fungi, and there was no benefit to using biochar with bokashi. Adding 4 L of biochar to the planting hole was considerably more economical than applying it to the row and cost $1320/ha less than the industry standard of incorporating sawdust in the row. These findings indicate that biochar is a promising soil amendment for commercial production of highbush blueberry.

Fractionation of Birch Wood by Integrating Alkaline-Acid Treatments and Hydrogenation in Ethanol over a Bifunctional Ruthenium Catalyst

For the first time, the fractionation of birch wood into microcrystalline cellulose, xylose and methoxyphenols is suggested based on the integration of alkali-acid pretreatments and hydrogenation in ethanol over a bifunctional Ru/C catalyst. It is established that removal of hemicelluloses during pretreatments of birch wood influences the yields of the liquid, gaseous and solid products of the non-catalytic and catalytic hydrogenation of pretreated samples in ethanol at 225 °C. The bifunctional Ru/carbon catalyst affects in different ways the conversion and yields of products of hydrogenation of the initial and acid- and alkali-pretreated birch wood. The most noticeable influence is characteristic of the hydrogenation of the acid-pretreated wood, where in contrast to the non-catalytic hydrogenation, the wood conversion and the yields of liquid products increase but the yields of the solid and gaseous products decrease. GC-MS, gel permeation chromatography and elemental analysis were used for characterization of the liquid product composition. The molecular mass distribution of the liquid products of hydrogenation of the initial and pretreated wood shifts towards the low-molecular range in the presence of the catalyst. From the GC-MS data, the contents of monomer compounds, predominantly 4-propylsyringol and 4-propanolsyringol, increase in the presence of the ruthenium catalyst. The solid products of catalytic hydrogenation of the pretreated wood contain up to 95 wt% of cellulose with the structure, similar to that of microcrystalline cellulose.

Bioconversion of Lignocellulosic Materials with the Contribution of a Multifunctional GH78 Glycoside Hydrolase from Xylaria polymorpha to Release Aromatic Fragments and Carbohydrates.

A bifunctional glycoside hydrolase GH78 from the ascomycete Xylaria polymorpha (XpoGH78) possesses catalytic versatility towards both glycosides and esters, which may be advantageous for the efficient degradation of the plant cell-wall complex that contains both diverse sugar residues and esterified structures. The contribution of XpoGH78 to the conversion of lignocellulosic materials without any chemical pretreatment to release the water-soluble aromatic fragments, carbohydrates, and methanol was studied. The disintegrating effect of enzymatic lignocellulose treatment can be significantly improved by using different kinds of hydrolases and phenoloxidases. The considerable changes in low (3 kDa), medium (30 kDa), and high (> 200 kDa) aromatic fragments were observed after the treatment with XpoGH78 alone or with this potent cocktail. Synergistic conversion of rape straw also resulted in a release of 17.3 mg of total carbohydrates (e.g., arabinose, galactose, glucose, mannose, xylose) per gram of substrate after incubating for 72 h. Moreover, the treatment of rape straw with XpoGH78 led to a marginal methanol release of approximately 17 μg/g and improved to 270 μg/g by cooperation with the above accessory enzymes. In the case of beech wood conversion, the combined catalysis by XpoGH78 and laccase caused an effect comparable with that of fungal strain X. polymorpha in woody cultures concerning the liberation of aromatic lignocellulose fragments.

A synergistic hydrothermal-deep eutectic solvent (DES) pretreatment for rapid fractionation and targeted valorization of hemicelluloses and cellulose from poplar wood

A synergistic pretreatment that realizing effective fractionation and targeted valorization can guarantee the implementability to future biorefinery scenario. In the present study, a stepwise approach using hydrothermal and deep eutectic solvents (DES) pretreatment was developed to preferentially dissociate hemicelluloses and further remove lignin from poplar, while retaining a cellulose-rich substrate that can be easily digested via enzymatic saccharification to obtain glucose. Results showed that the hydrothermal filtrate is mainly composed of xylooligosaccharide (XOS), monosaccharides, byproducts, and xylan-type hemicelluloses, which have homogenous structures and uniform molecular weights distribution as well as excellent antioxidant activity. Subsequent DES pretreatment further removed the lignin barriers, leading to a remarkable increase in the saccharification efficiency from 15.72% to 96.33% under optimum conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis. In short, the integrated pretreatment is effective for dissociating and chemical conversion of poplar wood, which was reasonable to promote the frontier of highly available biorefinery.