A comparative investigation of non-catalysed versus catalysed microwave-assisted hydrolysis of common North and South European seaweeds to produce biochemicals

Using a circular economy approach, this study investigated microwave assisted non-catalysed (water only), acid catalysed (H2SO4), and metal cation catalysed (Pb-II and Al-III) hydrolysis of brown and red seaweed biomass prior to and following extraction of high value products. Results show a wide variety of organic acid products is attained following each hydrolytic method, which are heavily depending on initial quantity and type of carbohydrates in seaweed as well as process conditions, such microwave reactor temperature and catalyst properties. The best results were achieved with extracted Gracilaria gracilis residues, which resulted in 20.1% w.t. levulinic acid, produced at 180 degrees C after 10 min with an overall carbohydrates conversion rate over 95%. Metal ion catalysed hydrolysis of the same extracted seaweed also yielded interesting quantities of lactic acid (5% w.t. at 240 degrees C), 5-HMF (6% w.t. at 220 degrees C) with Pb(II) and propionic acid (5% w.t. at 220-240 degrees C) with Al(III), bringing seaweed residues closer to full bioresource valorisation.

Automated summary

This study investigated different hydrolysis methods for brown and red seaweed biomass, resulting in a variety of organic acid products depending on the initial carbohydrate content and process conditions. The best results were achieved with extracted Gracilaria gracilis residues, yielding 20.1% levulinic acid at 180 degrees Celsius. Metal ion catalysed hydrolysis also produced interesting quantities of lactic acid, 5-HMF, and propionic acid from the same extracted seaweed.