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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Efficient sugar production from sugarcane bagasse by microwave assisted acid and alkali pretreatment

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Author(s):
Zhu, Zongyuan ; Rezende, Camila Alves ; Simister, Rachael ; McQueen-Mason, Simon J. ; Macquarrie, Duncan J. ; Polikarpov, Igor ; Gomez, Leonardo D.
Total Authors: 7
Document type: Journal article
Source: BIOMASS & BIOENERGY; v. 93, p. 269-278, OCT 2016.
Web of Science Citations: 30
Abstract

Sugarcane bagasse represents one of the best potential feedstocks for the production of second generation bioethanol. The most efficient method to produce fermentable sugars is by enzymatic hydrolysis, assisted by thermochemical pretreatments. Previous research was focused on conventional heating pretreatment and the pretreated biomass residue characteristics. In this work, microwave energy is applied to facilitate sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sulphuric acid (H2SO4) pretreatments on sugarcane bagasse and the efficiency of sugar production was evaluated on the soluble sugars released during pretreatment. The results show that microwave assisted pretreatment was more efficient than conventional heating pretreatment and it gave rise to 4 times higher reducing sugar release by using 5.7 times less pretreatment time. It is highlighted that enrichment of xylose and glucose can be tuned by changing pretreatment media (NaOH/H2SO4) and holding time. SEM study shows significant delignification effect of NaOH pretreatment, suggesting a possible improved enzymatic hydrolysis process. However, severe acid conditions should be avoided (long holding time or high acid concentration) under microwave heating conditions. It led to biomass carbonization, reducing sugar production and forming `humins'. Overall, in comparison with conventional pretreatment, microwave assisted pretreatment removed significant amount of hemicellulose and lignin and led to high amount of sugar production during pretreatment process, suggesting microwave heating pretreatment is an effective and efficient pretreatment method. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 10/11135-6 - Structural and morphological aspects of the cell-wall degradation and its biopolymers
Grantee:Camila Alves de Rezende
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
FAPESP's process: 12/22119-7 - Study of the decomposition mechanisms of the plant cell wall
Grantee:Camila Alves de Rezende
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants