Catalysed-microwave based Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass of Camelina Sativa L. for Bio-Fuel Production

Abstract

Lignocellulosic biomasses are promising alternative resource for bio-fuel production. But due to the recalcitrant nature of lignin and hemicellulose, necessitates an efficient pre-treatment process to improve the yield of reducing sugars and maximising the enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency. Catalysed-microwave pre-treatment may be a good alternative as compared to other methods since it can reduce the time and improve the enzymatic activity during hydrolysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the catalysed-microwave based pre-treatment of lignocellulosic biomass of Camelina sativa straw (CSS) to overcome the recalcitrant nature of cellulosic biomass. The microwave-alkaline (2 % NaOH) pre-treatment of CSS at 250 W for 10 min yields maximum (~422 mg/g) total soluble sugars (TSS) production during hydrolysis. Likewise, the maximum glucose content (~294 mg/g) was measured in 2 % alkaline-microwave pre-treatment for 10 min at RT. However, slight increase in lignin degradation was observed with the increase in alkaline hydroxide concentration and microwave irradiation exposure time. The maximum degradation in lignin content (~83 %) was measured in 3 % alkaline-microwave pre-treatment for 20 min at RT. Our results suggest that the microwave-alkaline pre-treatment approach may be employed for comprehensive utilisation of CSS biomass of Camelina sativa L. cv. Calena (EC643910) for bio-fuel production.