Alkaline delignification of lignocellulosic biomass for the production of fermentable sugar syrups

Abstract

The objective of this study to analyze the effect of alkaline pretreatment on the structure, composition, and subsequent hydrolysis of agricultural wastes. An increase in the content of reducing sugars after the pretreatment is achieved. Its effectiveness is confirmed, offering a practical procedure to produce alternative energy. Factors such as the calcium hydroxide concentration (0.1 and 0.5g Ca(OH)2/g-dry matter), liquid to solid ratio (12 and 28ml/g-dry matter), temperature (40 and 70°C), stirring rate (0 and 200rpm), an average particle size (0.45 and 1.015mm) were assessed using an experimental design. On average, kikuyo grass had the highest lignin removal (28.31%) while the African oil palm fiber had the lowest value (14.10%). The average particle size was a statistically significant factor for the pretreatment of African oil palm fiber, the stirring rate was an important factor during the pretreatment of kikuyo grass. The Ca(OH)2 concentration had a major effect on the pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse and coffee pulp waste.