Butylated Hydroxytoluene Improves Lignin Removal by Organosolv Pretreatment of Sugarcane Bagasse

Advantages in biomass pretreatment could be reached by improving lignin removal. In this study, the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) was evaluated for lignin removal from biomass. In pretreatments performed at 121 degrees C with 50% (v/v) ethanol as solvent, the presence of BHT resulted in 45.28% and 72.45% lignin and hemicellulose removal, against its absence that resulted in 35.09% and 56.31%, respectively. The use of BHT in lignin removal under these conditions represents an improvement in the pretreatment reducing the biomass recalcitrance. FTIR analyses showed that organosolv pretreatment with BHT influenced band intensity of the pseudo-lignin, while in acid medium similarity was observed among the spectra. The enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated biomass suffered the influence of hemicellulose and lignin removal. Pretreatments at 121 degrees C resulted in the highest cellulose conversion with 75% ethanol (58.67%), while pretreated biomass at 160 degrees C with 0.3% BHT resulted in a 59.04% of glucose yield. The use of BHT increased the lignin solubilization from the biomass in the organosolv pretreatment, increasing the effectiveness of the process, collaboration for further use of lignin.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the efficacy of using BHT for lignin removal in biomass pretreatment, showing significant improvements in lignin and hemicellulose removal. FTIR analysis demonstrated the influence of BHT on pseudo-lignin band intensity in organosolv pretreatment. The use of BHT increased lignin solubilization and overall effectiveness of the pretreatment process, potentially aiding in further lignin utilization.