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Fractionation of Yellow Thatching Grass (Hyparrhenia filipendula) for Sugar Production Using Combined Alkaline and Deep Eutectic Solvent Pretreatment

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Abstract

Purpose

Biomass pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis is one of the most viable ways to obtain sugars from biomass. In this work, the effect combined alkaline pretreatment and Deep Eutectic Solvent on enzyme hydrolysis of Hyparrhenia filipendula by cellulase is investigated. There is no previously reported literature on this substrate and the authors aim to establish baseline values for further research in the utilization of Hyparrhenia filipendula.

Methods

The yellow thatching grass (Hyparrhenia filipendula) was fractionated with a combination of alkaline and Deep Eutectic Solvent to increase sugar recovery. An alkaline solution of 10 wt % (w/v) of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) was used for the first stage of pretreatment at 100 °C for 4 h. Three DES, namely, Choline chloride (ChCl): urea; ChCl: glycerol; and Ethylene glycol: Citric acid at 1:2 molar ratio each, were heated to 80 °C until a clear solution was formed. The DESs were used for the second stage of pretreatment at 110 °C for 6 h in a Parr reactor. During the pretreatment, a solid: solvent ratio of 1:10 was used for the first and second stages of pre-treatment. Enzymatic hydrolysis was accomplished with a cellulase enzyme blend, Cellic CTec2, in a 50 mM sodium citrate buffer (pH 4.8) at 50 °C using a shaking incubator at a speed of 150 rpm. A solid loading of 2% and enzyme dosage of 50 g/100 g cellulose in the sample was used for all the experiments. Furthermore, samples were withdrawn every 24 h for 7 days and analyzed for glucose and xylose using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

Results

A high delignification of 90% and hemicellulose removal of 70% was achieved with a combination of Alkali and ChCl: Urea pretreatment. Subsequently, the highest glucose and xylose conversion of 90% and 92% were observed, respectively, with the same sample. Additionally, the highest glucose yield achieved was 25 gL−1 from the combined alkaline/ChCl: Glycerol treated sample after 120 h. Moreover, the highest xylose yield was 3 gL−1 from the raw sample, the NaOH- pulped sample, and the ChCl: Glycerol-treated sample.

Conclusion

The results from this study demonstrated that the solvents used for fractionating biomass have a significant effect on the sugar recovery during enzymatic hydrolysis. Also, the pretreatment with a combination of NaOH and DES of ChCl: Glycerol was the most effective for the recovery of glucose and total sugar. In conclusion, yellow thatching grass is a promising substrate for bio-refineries. However, the ideal conditions for enzyme hydrolysis should be investigated further to promote its utilization for value-added products.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the study are not publicly available due to Copyright regulations by Makerere University and University of Pretoria, but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

This work was supported by the African Center of Excellence in Materials, Product Development and Nanotechnology (MAPRONANO ACE) funded by the World Bank and Government of Uganda [Project Identification P151847, IDA Number 5797-UG]. Ayaa Fildah also acknowledges support received from The Professor Daramola Development Fund that enabled her to visit and supervise this study at the University of Pretoria. The Chemical industries education and training authority (CHIETA) also funded Nothando Masuku Faith's training at the University of Pretoria.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield Campus, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa

    N. F. Masuku, S. A. Iwarere & M. O. Daramola

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

    F. Ayaa & J. B. Kirabira

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, PMB1526, Imo State, Nigeria

    C. M. Onyelucheya

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  1. N. F. Masuku
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the successful completion of this study. NMF, AF, OCM and SAI conceptualized the project.MOD, JBK, SAI, AF and OC Mary reviewed the first draft. MOD and JBK were responsible for funding acquisition and project administration.

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Correspondence to M. O. Daramola.

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Masuku, N.F., Ayaa, F., Onyelucheya, C.M. et al. Fractionation of Yellow Thatching Grass (Hyparrhenia filipendula) for Sugar Production Using Combined Alkaline and Deep Eutectic Solvent Pretreatment. Waste Biomass Valor 14, 2609–2620 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-022-02013-3

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