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Updated: Oct 2, 2025

Ultrafast Lignin Extraction from Unusual Mediterranean Lignocellulosic Residues
Published on: March 9, 2021
A combination of deep eutectic solvent and ethanol pretreatment for synergistic delignification and enhanced
Lan Yao1, Pingping Cui2, Xiong Chen3
1Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), College of Bioengineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, PR China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Green Materials for Light Industry, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, PR China.
Abstract:
A novel pretreatment system containing deep eutectic solvents and ethanol (DES-E) for synergistic carbohydrate conversion and delignification was reported in this study. The DES-E pretreatment resulted in an enhanced glucose yield compared to individual DES and ethanol pretreatment for the three tested biomass, including Broussonetia papyrifera, corn stover and pine. To further explore the delignification mechanism, the solubilized lignin and residual lignin from Broussonetia papyrifera was recovered and extracted, then thoroughly characterized. The highest total OH content was found in the DES-E solubilized lignin, which could be used as antioxidant. The presence of ethanol in pretreatment liquor could protect the β-O-4 substructure from breakage and reduce lignin condensation, which favors the subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis. Comparable glucose yield and delignification performance was achieved by recycled DES. DES-E pretreatment offers a promising method for lignin isolation and cellulose digestibility improvement simultaneously.
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