Different acid pretreatments at room temperature boost selective saccharification of lignocellulose via fast pyrolysis

Fermentable sugars are a group of pivotal intermediates and platform compounds achieved by the conversion of lignocellulose. Fast pyrolysis, as a little-explored way to liberate levoglucosan from biomass, may have a potential capability to overcome the technical barriers and fundamental limitations for efficient saccharification. Pretreatment prior to fast pyrolysis is essential to improve levoglucosan yield from lignocellulose. Contrary to typical high-temperature acid pretreatments, a pretreatment under mild conditions was evaluated and optimized, where different acid (formic acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid) were employed at room temperature prior to fast pyrolysis of lignocellulose. Due to the alteration of chemical compositions and physical structures of biomass, especially the elimination of alkali and alkaline earth metals, the levoglucosan yield of dilute acid pretreated biomass was improved remarkably as compared with that of raw material, meanwhile claimed that acid pretreatments at room temperature had an enough capability in efficient utilization of biomass. In sum, this study offered a novel and economical strategy for selective saccharification of lignocellulose for industrialized bio-refinery.

Automated summary

Mild acid pretreatment before fast pyrolysis of lignocellulose can improve levoglucosan yield and potentially overcome technical barriers for efficient saccharification. This study offers a novel and cost-effective strategy for industrial bio-refinery to selectively saccharify lignocellulose.