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Fractionation of lignocellulosic biopolymers from sugarcane bagasse using formic acid-catalyzed organosolv process

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Abstract

A one-step formic acid-catalyzed organosolv process using a low-boiling point acid–solvent system was studied for fractionation of sugarcane bagasse. Compared to H2SO4, the use of formic acid as a promoter resulted in higher efficiency and selectivity on removals of hemicellulose and lignin with increased enzymatic digestibility of the cellulose-enriched solid fraction. The optimal condition from central composite design analysis was determined as 40 min residence time at 159 °C using water/ethanol/ethyl acetate/formic acid in the respective ratios of 43:20:16:21%v/v. Under this condition, a 94.6% recovery of cellulose was obtained in the solid with 80.2% cellulose content while 91.4 and 80.4% of hemicellulose and lignin were removed to the aqueous–alcohol–acid and ethyl acetate phases, respectively. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the solid yielded 84.5% glucose recovery compared to available glucan in the raw material. Physicochemical analysis revealed intact cellulose fibers with decreased crystallinity while the hemicellulose was partially recovered as mono- and oligomeric sugars. High-purity organosolv lignin with < 1% sugar cross-contamination was obtained with no major structural modification according to Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The work represents an alternative process for efficient fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass in biorefineries.

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Acknowledgements

This project was financially supported by PTT Global Chemicals and the Thailand Research Fund (RTA5980006). Manuscript proofreading by Dr. Pornkamol Unrean and Dr. Philip J. Shaw is appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Joint Graduate School for Energy and Environment (JGSEE), King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Prachauthit Road, Bangmod, Bangkok, 10140, Thailand

    Nopparat Suriyachai & Navadol Laosiripojana

  2. Enzyme Technology Laboratory, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), 113 Thailand Science Park, Pahonyothin Road, Khlong Luang, Patumthani, 12120, Thailand

    Verawat Champreda

  3. BIOTEC-JGSEE Integrative Biorefinery Laboratory, Innovation Cluster 2 Building, Thailand Science Park, Khlong Luang, Patumthani, 12120, Thailand

    Verawat Champreda & Navadol Laosiripojana

  4. PTT Global Chemicals PCL, Energy Complex Tower A, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand

    Natthakorn Kraikul & Wikanda Techanan

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  1. Nopparat Suriyachai
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  2. Verawat Champreda
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  3. Natthakorn Kraikul
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  4. Wikanda Techanan
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Suriyachai, N., Champreda, V., Kraikul, N. et al. Fractionation of lignocellulosic biopolymers from sugarcane bagasse using formic acid-catalyzed organosolv process. 3 Biotech 8, 221 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-018-1244-9

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