Efficient binary diol-based deep eutectic solvent pretreatment for enhancing enzymatic saccharification and lignin...

Area of Science:

• Biomass Pretreatment
• Green Chemistry
• Biorefinery Technologies

Background:

• Efficient biomass fractionation is crucial for sustainable biorefineries.
• Deep eutectic solvents (DES) offer a promising alternative for biomass pretreatment.
• Developing cost-effective and high-performance DES is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel binary biol-based deep eutectic solvent (DES) for eucalyptus biomass pretreatment.
• To assess the efficiency of the DES in removing lignin and xylan while preserving cellulose.
• To explore the valorization of the obtained lignin into nanoparticles and nanobottles.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of ethylamine hydrochloride-ethylene glycol (EaCl-EG) DES.
• Pretreatment of eucalyptus biomass using the developed DES.
• Analysis of cellulose, lignin, and xylan content in pretreated biomass.
• Characterization of lignin properties and self-assembly into nanostructures.

Main Results:

• EaCl-EG DES achieved high delignification (85.0%) and xylan removal (80.0%) with excellent cellulose preservation (94.5%).
• Pretreated biomass yielded over 92.5% glucose, a 15-fold increase compared to untreated biomass.
• High-purity lignin (97.8%) with preserved β-O-4 structure was obtained and converted into lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) and nanobottles (LNBs).

Conclusions:

• The novel EaCl-EG DES is a highly effective and selective solvent for eucalyptus biomass pretreatment.
• This method significantly enhances enzymatic hydrolysis for glucose production.
• The process enables the valorization of lignin into valuable nanoproducts, supporting a circular economy.