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Updated: Jan 17, 2026

Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass with Low-cost Ionic Liquids
Published on: August 10, 2016
Carbohydrates-first biomass fractionation and valorization: Advances, challenges, and future opportunities
Siwei Chen1, Yang Cao2, Fukuan Li1
1Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, No. 31 Fukang Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300191, China.
Abstract:
The growing demand for sustainable and renewable resources has driven significant research into lignocellulosic biomass. Lignocellulosic carbohydrates (cellulose, hemicellulose, and their derived water-soluble sugars) represent the most abundant renewable feedstock for producing sustainable chemicals and functional materials. This review first critically evaluates carbohydrates-first fractionation methods, including deep eutectic solvents (DESs), ionic liquids (ILs), organic solvents, peroxide, alkali, and acid, with critical analysis of their sustainability indicators (environmental and economic impacts). Subsequently, various conversion pathways from fractionated carbohydrates to valuable chemicals and sustainable materials are discussed. Finally, future directions and research opportunities for carbohydrates fractionation and valorization are proposed, reinforcing the status of carbohydrates as the most promising materials for multiple fields in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
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