Multi-scale study of the integrated use of the carbohydrate fractions of sugarcane bagasse for ethanol and xylitol production

A multi-scale study of sugarcane bagasse (SB) pretreatments and integrated developments for use of its carbohydrates portions for ethanol and xylitol production, are presented. In a first approach, after SB acid hydrolysis, hemicellulosic ethanol production was investigated, verifying ethanol yield of 0.31 g/g and volumetric productivity (Q(P)) of 0.1 g/L.h. Xylitol production was also studied, showing xylitol yield and Q(P) of 0.61 g/g and 0.38 g/L.h, respectively. Thus, remaining cellulignin from acid pretreatment was submitted to alkaline hydrolysis followed by Semi-Simultaneous Saccharification and Co-fermentation in sequential processes to ethanol production, by using mixture of SB hemicellulosic and enzymatic hydrolysate as carbon source, verifying Q(P) of 0.6 g/L.h. Moreover, a biomass multi-scale study was conducted by analysis of MEV, X-Ray, FTIR and Ramman Spectroscopy, verifying clear changes in SB structure along each pretreatment. These novel approaches indicated the potential of these integrated use of SB carbohydrates portion for bioproducts obtaining from SB in sustainable processes. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A multi-scale study of sugarcane bagasse pretreatments and integrated developments for ethanol and xylitol production were presented. Acid hydrolysis of SB showed potential for hemicellulosic ethanol production, while alkaline hydrolysis followed by fermentation processes yielded ethanol. Structural analysis of SB indicated clear changes along the pretreatment processes, highlighting the potential for sustainable use of SB carbohydrates for bioproducts.