Enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis of poplar cellulosic residue fractionated by a magnetic carbon-based solid-acid catalyst in the γ-valerolactone-water system

The conventional pretreatment method of poplar comprises multiple steps, including different procedures for fractionating hemicellulose and lignin separately. In our study, hemicellulose and lignin were removed simultaneously by a one-step method. In the gamma-valerolactone (GVL)-water environment, the cellulose retention, hemicellulose removal, and lignin removal rates of 84.94%, 89.08%, and 72.28%, respectively, were achieved over a magnetic carbon-based solid acid (MMCSA) catalyst, under best conditions (160 degrees C, 30 min, 2 g of poplar, 2 g of MMCSA, 35 mL of GVL, and 15 mL of water). The pretreatment of fresh poplar in the reused MMCSA-GVL-water environment showed similar fractionation results as the first time. Scanning electron microscopy characterization of the cellulosic residue revealed the presence of noticeable structural fragmentation. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller characterization showed that the total pore volume of the residue was 2.13 times that of the raw material. The above features of the residue confirmed the high enzymatic hydrolysis potential of the pretreated residue. The enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency of the poplar residue was 67% at a cellulase loading of 20 FPU/g cellulose in dry matter, and it increased to 77.02% at 40 FPU/g cellulose in dry matter. Interestingly, the addition of Tween 80 did not improve the enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency at high cellulase loadings (30 and 40 FPU/g cellulose in dry matter) compared to the case at low cellulase loadings. The relative mechanisms were also analyzed. In this study, a one-step pretreatment method comprising the MMCSA-GVL system for the catalytic depolymerization of poplar wood was developed. The system was verified to be very effective for the subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis of the residues.

Automated summary

A one-step pretreatment method involving the removal of hemicellulose and lignin simultaneously was developed, achieving high cellulose retention and removal rates under specific conditions. The reuse of the MMCSA-GVL system showed similar fractionation results, with enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency of the pretreated residue. The study also analyzed the structural characteristics and enzymatic hydrolysis potential of the residue, providing valuable insights for efficient biomass conversion processes.