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Sequential catalytic lignin valorization and bioethanol production: an integrated biorefinery strategy
Yilu Wu1, Changsheng Su1, Zicheng Liao2
1National Energy R&D Center for Biorefinery, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China.
Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts
|January 20, 2024
Summary
This study presents a biorefinery process to convert poplar sawdust into valuable lignin oil and bioethanol. The optimized reductive catalytic fractionation (RCF) and fermentation stages efficiently produce these sustainable chemicals.
Area of Science:
- Biorefinery and Sustainable Chemistry
- Catalysis and Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Effective valorization of lignocellulose is key for sustainable chemical and fuel production.
- Reductive catalytic fractionation (RCF) enables lignin depolymerization into oils and preserves carbohydrates in pulp.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct a biorefinery paradigm for sequential valorization of poplar sawdust components.
- To optimize the co-generation of phenols and bioethanol via tandem chemo-catalysis and bio-catalysis.
Main Methods:
- Employed reductive catalytic fractionation (RCF) using Raney Ni catalyst and isopropanol (2-PrOH) as a hydrogen donor and solvent.
- Investigated the effect of 2-PrOH:H2O ratio on lignin oil yield and pulp characteristics.
- Utilized an engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain for fermenting RCF pulp into bioethanol.
Main Results:
- Achieved 67.48% delignification and 20.65% monolignols yield with a 2-PrOH:H2O ratio of 7:3.
- Obtained RCF pulp with 57.96% carbohydrate retention, yielding 21.61 g/L bioethanol.
- Demonstrated a potential production of 104.4 g ethanol and 206.5 g lignin oil per 1000 g raw poplar sawdust.
Conclusions:
- Poplar sawdust can be efficiently transformed into lignin oil and bioethanol through the developed biorefinery process.
- This approach shows significant promise for producing valuable biofuels and chemicals from abundant lignocellulosic biomass.
