Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 28, 2026
Ultrafast Lignin Extraction from Unusual Mediterranean Lignocellulosic Residues
Published on: March 9, 2021
Single-step microwave-assisted hot water extraction of hemicelluloses from selected lignocellulosic materials - A
Gezahegn T Mihiretu1, Malin Brodin2, Annie F Chimphango3
1Stellenbosch University, Process Engineering Department, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa; Paper and Fibre Research Institute (PFI), Høgskoleringen 6B, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
Abstract:
The viability of single-step microwave-induced pressurized hot water conditions for co-production of xylan-based biopolymers and bioethanol from aspenwood sawdust and sugarcane trash was investigated. Extraction of hemicelluloses was conducted using microwave-assisted pressurized hot water system. The effects of temperature and time on extraction yield and enzymatic digestibility of resulting solids were determined. Temperatures between 170-200°C for aspenwood and 165-195°C for sugarcane trash; retention times between 8-22min for both feedstocks, were selected for optimization purpose. Maximum xylan extraction yields of 66 and 50%, and highest cellulose digestibilities of 78 and 74%, were attained for aspenwood and sugarcane trash respectively. Monomeric xylose yields for both feedstocks were below 7%, showing that the xylan extracts were predominantly in non-monomeric form. Thus, single-step microwave-assisted hot water method is viable biorefinery approach to extract xylan from lignocelluloses while rendering the solid residues sufficiently digestible for ethanol production.
