Enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis of corn stover using twin‐screw extrusion under mild conditions

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the effect of extrusion at high solid loading on corn stover (CS) properties and its enzymatic hydrolysis. This biomass was extruded under different screw speeds and different solid loadings and the impact of these parameters on the physicochemical properties was evaluated. It was found that lignocellulosic components were not significantly affected by the pretreatment, while the surface area increased with solid loading and rotation speed. Different enzyme cocktails were used for the enzymatic hydrolysis of extruded and untreated CS. Overall, mild twin‐extrusion enhanced the enzymatic hydrolysis of CS through an increase in glucose and xylose yields by 134–212% and 214–294%, respectively, when using Trichoderma longibrachiatum cellulase. The highest sugar content was obtained from CS extruded under 400 g total solids per liter and 200 rpm. The energy efficiency of the pretreatment was also assessed and was found to be maximal at 400 g total solids per liter and 200 rpm. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Twin-Screw Extrusion Mechanical Pretreatment for Enhancing Biomethane Production from Agro-Industrial, Agricultural and Catch Crop Biomasses

“…Finally, in the case of rehydrated corn stover, which was mechanically treated with a twin-screw extruder, Wang et al [55] showed a slight increase for cellulose (1%), and slight decreases for hemicelluloses (1%) and, especially, lignin (0.2%) contents. Lastly, in their very recent study, Elalami et al [56] showed no statistical difference in the chemical composition of corn stover before and after extrusion. In conclusion, although HE/HER configuration allowed partial solubilization of extractables, which significantly impacted the extrudate's composition in lignocellulosic compounds from a statistical point of view, mechanical extrusion only slightly altered the biomass lignocellulosic composition.…”