Optimizing tri-acid mixture hydrolysis: An improved strategy for efficient xylooligosaccharides production from corncob

Propionic acid (PA) hydrolysis of corncob for xylooligosaccharides (XOS) production has the advantages of simple operation, high XOS yield and less by-products, but the high price of PA limits its application. Therefore, partially replacing PA with less expensive organic acids, such as formic acid (FA) and acetic acid (AC), may lower the cost of hydrolysis in XOS production. This work investigated the feasibility of XOS production from corncob using a tri-acid mixture of FA, AC and PA. A high XOS yield of 69.1 % was achieved under the optimal FA:PA:AC volume ratio of 1:5:4 at 150 degrees C for 50 min. Overall, in the XOS production from corncob, it was able to replace 60 % of PA with FA and AC, and decreased the hydrolysis temperature from 170 degrees C to 150 degrees C, all of which were important to lower the cost of XOS production using organic acid hydrolysis.

Automated summary

This study investigated the feasibility of producing XOS from corncob by using a tri-acid mixture of formic acid, acetic acid, and propionic acid (PA). A high yield of 69.1% was achieved under the optimal volume ratio of formic acid, PA, and acetic acid at 1:5:4, and a reaction temperature of 150 degrees C for 50 minutes. In summary, replacing 60% of PA with formic acid and acetic acid, and lowering the hydrolysis temperature from 170 degrees C to 150 degrees C were important for reducing the cost of XOS production using organic acid hydrolysis.