Evaluation of Chemical Composition of Miscanthus x giganteus Raised in Different Climate Regions in Russia

Lignocellulosic biomass is of great interest as an alternative energy resource because it offers a range of merits. Miscanthus x giganteus is a lignocellulosic feedstock of special interest, as it combines a high biomass productivity with a low environmental impact, including CO2 emission control. The chemical composition of lignocellulose determines the application potential for efficient industrial processing. Here, we compiled a sample collection of Miscanthus x giganteus that had been cultivated in different climate regions between 2019 and 2021. The chemical composition was quantified by the conventional wet methods. The findings were compared with each other and with the known data. Starting as soon as the first vegetation year, Miscanthus was shown to feature the following chemical composition: 43.2-55.5% cellulose content, 17.1-25.1% acid-insoluble lignin content, 17.9-22.9% pentosan content, 0.90-2.95% ash content, and 0.3-1.2% extractives. The habitat and the surrounding environment were discovered herein to affect the chemical composition of Miscanthus. The stem part of Miscanthus was found to be richer in cellulose than the leaf (48.4-54.9% vs. 47.2-48.9%, respectively), regardless of the planation age and habitat. The obtained findings broaden the investigative geography of the chemical composition of Miscanthus and corroborate the high value of Miscanthus for industrial conversion thereof into cellulosic products worldwide.

Automated summary

Miscanthus x giganteus is a lignocellulosic feedstock with high biomass productivity and low environmental impact. The chemical composition of Miscanthus is influenced by the habitat and environment, with the stem part being richer in cellulose. These findings have significant implications for the industrial conversion of Miscanthus into cellulosic products worldwide.