Biogenic Catalysis by Adding Compost when Using Wheat Straw in a Biorefinery Concept

Abstract

The high content of lignocellulose limits the biodegradability of wheat straw for bioenergy production. To counteract this fact, a thermobiological pretreatment was applied to improve the utilization of lignocellulose biomasses for a biorefinery concept. The use of compost assured the growth of cellulose-degrading anaerobic microorganisms under thermophilic conditions. Results revealed a lignocellulose material degradation in all samples. Moreover, the combination of a thermobiological pretreatment under thermophilic conditions created a synergistic effect that accelerated the biomethanization of wheat straw due to the sugar compounds released during the biogenic catalysis.