Hemicellulosic Furfural Production from Sugarcane Bagasse Using Different Acids

Chemical composition of sugarcane bagasse and its production potential of hemicellulosic furfural were studied. For this fine bagasse sample of two varieties was prepared and analyzed for its chemical composition. Then bagasse was treated with variable concentrations (1, 2 and 3 M) of different acids (acetic acid, formic acid, phosphoric acid and nitric acid) and autoclaved for 180, 300 and 420 min with solid-liquid ratio of 1: 15 at 110 degrees C temperature and 1.05 kg cm(-2) steam pressure for furfural production. The reaction of bagasse with 3.0 M nitric acid for 300 min gave the highest yields of furfural (119.94 mg/g). Furfural was extracted and identified on the basis of thin layer chromatography, boiling point, IR and NMR data.