The role of pretreatment in the catalytic valorization of cellulose

Liao, Yuhe; Beeck, Beau Op de; Thielemans, Karel; Ennaert, Thijs; Snelders, Jeroen; Dusselier, Michiel; Courtin, Christophe M.; Sels, Bert F.

doi:10.1016/j.mcat.2020.110883

Cited by 64 publications

(111 citation statements)

References 473 publications

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“…), physico-chemical (steam explosion, hot water, oxidative, etc.) and biological (fungi, bacteria or archaea) pretreatments [ 11 , 13 , 14 ]. Among the physico-chemical pretreatments, hot water pretreatment (HWP), also called hydrothermal pretreatment or autohydrolysis, stands out [ 15 – 17 ] as it only uses hot water as catalyst, generally at temperatures ranging from 170 to 230 °C.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating polymer interplay after hot water pretreatment to investigate maize stem internode recalcitrance

Leroy

Falourd

Foucat

et al. 2021

Biotechnol Biofuels

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Background Biomass recalcitrance is governed by various molecular and structural factors but the interplay between these multiscale factors remains unclear. In this study, hot water pretreatment (HWP) was applied to maize stem internodes to highlight the impact of the ultrastructure of the polymers and their interactions on the accessibility and recalcitrance of the lignocellulosic biomass. The impact of HWP was analysed at different scales, from the polymer ultrastructure or water mobility to the cell wall organisation by combining complementary compositional, spectral and NMR analyses. Results HWP increased the kinetics and yield of saccharification. Chemical characterisation showed that HWP altered cell wall composition with a loss of hemicelluloses (up to 45% in the 40-min HWP) and of ferulic acid cross-linking associated with lignin enrichment. The lignin structure was also altered (up to 35% reduction in β–O–4 bonds), associated with slight depolymerisation/repolymerisation depending on the length of treatment. The increase in $${T}_{1\rho }^{H}$$ T 1 ρ H , $${T}_{HH}$$ T HH and specific surface area (SSA) showed that the cellulose environment was looser after pretreatment. These changes were linked to the increased accessibility of more constrained water to the cellulose in the 5–15 nm pore size range. Conclusion The loss of hemicelluloses and changes in polymer structural features caused by HWP led to reorganisation of the lignocellulose matrix. These modifications increased the SSA and redistributed the water thereby increasing the accessibility of cellulases and enhancing hydrolysis. Interestingly, lignin content did not have a negative impact on enzymatic hydrolysis but a higher lignin condensed state appeared to promote saccharification. The environment and organisation of lignin is thus more important than its concentration in explaining cellulose accessibility. Elucidating the interactions between polymers is the key to understanding LB recalcitrance and to identifying the best severity conditions to optimise HWP in sustainable biorefineries.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating polymer interplay after hot water pretreatment to investigate maize stem internode recalcitrance

Leroy

Falourd

Foucat

et al. 2021

Biotechnol Biofuels

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“…Cellulose is biosynthesized not only by plants, but also by microorganisms such as algae, fungi, and bacteria [ 126 , 127 , 128 ]. Regardless of the organism or cellulose synthesis pathway, this polymer is classified as a homopolysaccharide of high molar mass and beta glycosidic bonds (1–4) [ 127 , 128 , 129 ]. Its degree of polymerization (DP) is higher than 10,000 units of anhydroglucose; however, it varies according to the botanical source [ 129 ].…”

Section: Lignocellulose and Biomassmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advantages and Disadvantages of Bioplastics Production from Starch and Lignocellulosic Components

et al. 2021

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The accumulation of plastic wastes in different environments has become a topic of major concern over the past decades; therefore, technologies and strategies aimed at mitigating the environmental impacts of petroleum products have gained worldwide relevance. In this scenario, the production of bioplastics mainly from polysaccharides such as starch is a growing strategy and a field of intense research. The use of plasticizers, the preparation of blends, and the reinforcement of bioplastics with lignocellulosic components have shown promising and environmentally safe alternatives for overcoming the limitations of bioplastics, mainly due to the availability, biodegradability, and biocompatibility of such resources. This review addresses the production of bioplastics composed of polysaccharides from plant biomass and its advantages and disadvantages.

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“…For selective lignin removal from intact lignocellulosic biomass, many fractionation strategies have been developed over decades of research. [17][18][19] By far the most common are organosolv processes, generally defined as processes that employ an organic solvent, most commonly with an acid co-catalyst and water. 20,21 These pretreatment strategies often liberate substantial amounts of lignin from biomass.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%