Using Experimental Design and Response Surface Methodology to Optimize Nanocellulose Production from Two Types of Pretreated Soybean Straw

Author(s)

Silva, Natalia C. ; Esposto, Bruno S. ; Maniglia, Bianca C. ; Tapia-Blacido, Delia R. ; Martelli-Tosi, Milena

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS; v. 223, n. 18, p. 9-pg., 2022-08-09.

Abstract

This study investigates how enzymatic activity (X-1) and pretreated soybean straw concentration (X-2) affect the production of cellulose nanofibers and reducing sugars using the Composite Central Rotational Design (CCRD). The soybean straw is subjected to alkaline pretreatment with either 5% NaOH (PT1) or 17.5% NaOH (PT2), followed by bleaching (4% H2O2) and enzymatic treatment. The mathematical model generated by Response Surface Methodology (RSM) predicts that increasing X-1 and X-2 simultaneously is necessary to increase the nanocellulose yield. On the other hand, to increase the sugar yield, it is necessary to increase the ratio X-1:X-2. The model also predicts that the lowest concentration of soybean straw (1.17%) resulted in more stable nanofiber suspensions, regardless of the enzyme activity (-25.0 and -19.4 mV for PT1 and PT2, respectively). The optimal condition for the simultaneous production of cellulose nanofibers and reducing sugars is 4.0 g of biomass and enzymatic activity of 600 CMCU, resulting for PT1 and PT2, respectively: 7.01 and 3.73 g of nanofibers/100 g of soybean straw; 11.34 and 14.30 g of reducing sugars/100 g of soybean straw. Therefore, the processing efficiency according to the pretreatment used can directly guide the production of cellulose nanofibers and reducing sugars. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/18788-1 - Raman microspectroscopy and chemometrics for the characterization of polymer-based microcarrier systems of active/photoactive compounds
• Grantee: Milena Martelli Tosi
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants