Column reactors in fluidized bed configuration as intensification system for xylitol and ethanol production from napier grass (Pennisetum Purpureum)

Author(s)

Antunes, F. A. F. ^[1] ; Machado, P. E. M. ^[1] ; Rocha, T. M. ^[1] ; Melo, Y. C. S. ^[1] ; Santos, J. C. ^[1] ; da Silva, S. S. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Engn Sch Lorena, Dept Biotechnol, Area 1 Estr Municipal Campinho S-N, BR-12602810 Lorena, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING AND PROCESSING; v. 164, JUL 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Currently, the modern concept biorefinery industries require a consolidated, robust and cost-effective bioprocess applied to multi-products manufacturing. In alignment, this work presents biomass pretreatment of Pennisetum purpureum grass and integrated developments for carbohydrates portions utilization as carbon source for xylitol and ethanol production in intensified process conducted in column reactor with fluidized bed configuration, homogenized simply by air insertion. Primarily, by using hemicellulosic portion from acid hydrolysis, xylitol production was evaluated in column fluidized bed reactor by using the novel-wild Brazilian yeast Candida Tropicalis UFMGBX12-a verifying YP/S and Qp of 0.26 g/g and 0.06 g/L.h, respectively. Forwardly, the remaining celulignin from the acid hydrolysis was subjected to alkaline pretreatment, followed by Semi-Simultaneous saccharification and Fermentation process, in an intensification approach performed in column fluidized bed reactor, applied to ethanol production by Scheffersomyces Shehatae UFMG-HM 52.2. Enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated biomass comprised 90% of glucose yield in 72h of saccharification, while ethanol productivity of 0.21 g/L.h, was found in 24 h of fermentation process. These new developments conferred potential use of Pennisetum purpureum grass as carbon source for xylitol and ethanol production in column reactor towards sustainable intensification process implementation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/10636-8 - From the cell factory to the Biodiesel-Bioethanol integrated biorefinery: a systems approach applied to complex problems in micro and macroscales
• Grantee: Roberto de Campos Giordano
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/19695-5 - Development and synthesis of nanobiocatalysts for the pre-treatment of lignocellulosic biomass aiming to obtain fermentable sugars for use as carbon source in biorefineries
• Grantee: Yasmin Cristhine de Souza Melo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 14/27055-2 - Processes intensification of lignocellulosic biorefineries integrating ethanol and xylitol production steps from sugarcane bagasse in fluidized bed bioreactor
• Grantee: Felipe Antonio Fernandes Antunes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral