VALIDATION OF METHODOLOGY FOR THE CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SUGAR CANE BAGASSE.

VALIDATION OF METHODOLOGY FOR THE CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SUGAR CANE BAGASSE. In this work, a methodology for the characterization of sugar cane bagasse was validated. Bagasse pre-treated with steam in a 5000 L reactor at a pressure of 15.3 kgf/cm(2), during 7 min, was used to test the methodology. The methodology consisted of the hydrolysis of the material with H(2)SO(4) at 72% v/v, for the quantification of carbohydrates, organic acid, furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural by HPLC; insoluble lignin and ash by gravimetry; and soluble lignin by spectrophotometry. Linearity, repeatability, reproducibility and accuracy of the results obtained in two Research Laboratories were determined, and were considered to be suitable for the validation of the methodology.