Immobilization in Spheres of a Cocktail Rich in Xylanase Produced by the Fungus <i>Fusarium sp</i>. EA 1.3.1 for Hydrolysis of Sugarcane Bagasse

Second generation ethanol is produced from the degradation of lignocellulosic biomass using enzymes as catalysts, with emphasis on xylanases. These biocatalysts are often costly, but stable at high temperatures, and their reuse is of great value, so the immobilization of the enzymes can increase their applicability on an industrial scale. We sought to immobilize a cocktail rich in xylanase produced by the fungus Fusarium sp. EA 1.3.1 in alginate spheres, optimize the immobilization method, characterize the immobilized derivatives, improve their physical-chemical characteristics, and perform the hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse to release sugars. The Fusarium sp. EA 1.3.1 has been identified and used for cocktail rich in xylanase production that was immobilized in alginate spheres. During this process, the drip equipment, and the concentration of the solutions of sodium alginate and calcium chloride were evaluated. The best results were obtained with the glass rod and with concentrations of 3.14% and 2.10% for the solutions, respectively. The apparent optimum conditions of pH and temperature reaction were studied, and the values of pH 6.5 and 60°C were obtained. The immobilized conjugate also presented greater stability at this temperature than that of the soluble cocktail. The conjugate could be recycled up to six times, and its activity was maintained after 75 days of storage. Finally, the hydrolysis in natural sugarcane bagasse was achieved, and greater amounts of reducing sugars were obtained in the reaction with the conjugate. Thus, the cocktail rich in xylanase produced by the fungus Fusarium sp. EA1.3.1 was successfully immobilized on alginate spheres and possesses the potential to be used as a catalyst in industrial processes such as the lignocellulosic ethanol industry.

Hydrolysis of cellobiose catalyzed by zeolites—the role of acidity and micropore structure

The roles of acidity and micropore structure of zeolite were studied in the hydrolysis of the model oligosaccharide of cellulose–cellobiose. HZSM-5, HY, HMOR and Hβ zeolites were selected as model catalysts for the hydrolysis of cellobiose. The effect of acidity of zeolite, including the strength, type and location, on its catalytic activity was investigated. The strong Br？nsted acid sites located in micropores are the active sites for the hydrolysis of cellobiose to glucose. Meanwhile, the catalytic performance of zeolite is also dependent on the micropore size of zeolite.

Multi-objective regulation in autohydrolysis process of corn stover by liquid hot water pretreatment

Increasing reducing sugars(xylose and glucose) yield for bioethanol from corn stover depends strongly on optimization of pretreatment conditions. The optimum reaction conditions of two-stage liquid hot water(LHW) pretreatment based on total sugars yield were investigated. Under optimal conditions, the recovery of glucose of corn stover after two-stage LHW pretreatment and 72 h enzymatic digestion, reached 89.55%. In addition, acetic acid-rich spent liquor pretreatment and one-stage LHW pretreatment have been carried out to make comparisons with two-stage LHW treatment. Glucose yield 89.55% is superior to the recovery 83.38% using acetic acidrich spent liquor pretreatment or 80.58% using one-stage LHW pretreatment. The production of total sugars was increased by 7.8% when compared with one-stage pretreatment. Moreover, the structural features of the treated corn stover solid residues were also investigated by XRD and SEM technology in order to clarify the effects of the reaction on corn stover. The results indicated that the two-stage LHW pretreatment was an effective pretreatment method of corn stover to get most massive resource utilization, and it could be successfully applied to corn stover.

Potential aspect of rice husk biomass in Australia for nanocrystalline cellulose production

Nanocrystalline cellulose(NCC) was produced from rice husk biomass(Oryza sativa) by a chemical extraction process to explore the potential aspect of agro-waste biomass in Australia. In this work, the delignified rice husk pulp(D-RHP) was produced by alkaline delignification of raw rice husk biomass(R-RHB) using 4 mol·L^(-1) alkali solutions(Na OH) in a jacketed glass reactor under specific experimental conditions. D-RHP was bleached using 15% sodium hypochlorite, and the bleached rice husk pulp was coded as B-RHP. Finally,raw suspension of NCC was produced by the acid hydrolysis of B-RHP using 4 mol·L^(-1) sulphuric acid. The raw suspension of NCC was neutralized by a buffer solution and analyzed by TAPPI, FT-IR, XRD, SEM, AFM, and TEM. FT-IR spectra of NCC are different to R-RHB but similar with B-RHP and D-RHP. From XRD results, the crystallinity of NCC was found to be approximately 65%. In AFM analysis particle thicknesses have been confirmed to be in the range of(25 ± 15.14) nm or(27 ± 15.14) nm which is almost the same. From TEM analysis particle dimensions have been confirmed to be in the range of(50 ± 29.38) nm width and(550 ± 302.75) nm length with the aspect ratio ~ 11:1(length/diameter) at a 500 nm scale bar. On the other hand, at a 200 nm scale bar the particle dimensions have been confirmed to be in the range of(35 ± 17) nm width and(275 ± 151.38)nm length with the aspect ratio ~ 8:1. The aspect ratio of individual crystalline domain was determined in TEM analysis which is 10:1(100/10). Therefore the aspect ratios and dimensions of nanoparticles in NCC suspension are almost the same and in nano-meter scale, as confirmed from both AFM and TEM results. The yield of NCC from B-RHP was found to be approximately 95%, and the recovery of cellulose from R-RHB is about 90%.

Preparation of furfural and reaction kinetics of xylose dehydration to furfural in high-temperature water

Factors influencing dehydration of xylose to furfural,such as catalyst and extract agents,were investigated.Results indicated that high-temperature water may substitute for solid and liquid acid as a catalyst,and ethyl butyrate improved furfural yield for the high distribution coefficient.A furfural yield of 75 % was obtained at200 °C for 3 h in ethyl butyrate/water.The reaction kinetics of xylose dehydration to furfural was investigated and it was found that the reaction order was 0.5,and the activation energy was 68.5 k J/mol.The rate constant k showed a clear agreement with the Arrhenius law from160 to 200 °C.