Organosolv pre-treatment of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) shell and its upshot

Pre-treatment of lignocellulosic biomass is an inevitable step toward value-added green chemicals. There are various modes of pre-treatment method that exist with their own pros and cons. The present study focused on the utilization of the shell of groundnut as lignocellulosic biomass material. The groundnut shell has no use after the collection of nuts from it. Preliminary characterization of groundnut shell was also conducted which showed it has 48.2% cellulose and hemicellulose; the lignin content was found to be 48.67%. The ash content of the biomass was around 3.13%. The lignin content of the biomass was considered as the target response for the pre-treatment process and butanol was used as an organic solvent for the pre-treatment process. The experimental study developed a quadratic model for the entire process with respect to the change in the lignin profile within the design criteria. The study also conducted raw and pre-treated biomass characterization using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The study revealed that the maximum amount of lignin removed was 48.67% lignin.

Automated summary

The study focused on the utilization of groundnut shell as lignocellulosic biomass material and conducted preliminary characterization. The experimental study revealed that the maximum amount of lignin removed during the pre-treatment process was 48.67%.