Title:
Giant Reed and Milk Thistle Sugar Yield after Alkaline Pre-Treatment and Enzymatic Hydrolysis in Comparison with Standard Wheat Straw
Author(s):
Cianchetta, S., Ceotto, E., Galletti, S.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
This study aimed at evaluating the effects of an alkaline pre-treatment on the saccharification yield of two emerging lignocellulosic species of the Mediterranean area, giant reed and milk thistle compared to standard wheat straw, after hydrolysis with a complete enzyme blend. The pre-treatment (NaOH 6 and 12% w/w dry biomass, 120 °C, 20 min) increased sugar yields by 2-4 folds compared to control (NaOH 0%), depending on the NaOH dose and on the species. With the highest NaOH dose, giant reed released up to 465 mg of reducing sugars per g of dry untreated biomass, as the sum of the sugars obtained after hydrolysis of the solid and liquid fractions derived from the pre-treatment. Milk thistle released up to 428 mg/g of reducing sugars, reaching a plateau with NaOH 6%; a considerable amount of sugars were obtained by hydrothermal extraction only. Wheat straw gave the highest sugar yield (up to 574 mg/g, NaOH 6%). The renown outstanding biomass productivity and the good response to alkaline pre-treatment, make giant reed a prominent feedstock for fermentable sugar production. Also milk thistle residues, after seed harvesting for silymarin production, can benefit of an alkaline pre-treatment to increase sugar yield, according to a whole plant valorisation approach.
Keywords:
alkali, enzymatic hydrolysis, sugar, pretreatment, Arundo donax, Silybum marianum
Topic:
Biomass Conversion Technologies for Fuels, Chemicals and Materials
Subtopic:
Bio-alcohols from lignocellulosic biomass and pretreatment
Event:
26th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
3DV.4.8
Pages:
1169 - 1173
ISBN:
978-88-89407-18-9
Paper DOI:
10.5071/26thEUBCE2018-3DV.4.8
Price:
FREE
