Dilute acid pretreatment and Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Saline Biomass for Sugar Production

摘要

Saline crops were evaluated for their potential to be used as feedstock for fermentable sugar production via dilute acid pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. The saline crops included two woods, Athel (Tamarix aphylla L) and Eucalyptus {Eucalyptus camaldulensis), and two grasses, Jose Tall Wheatgrass (Agropyron elongatum) (JTW) and Creeping Wild Rye (Leymus triticoides) (CWR). Each of the biomass materials was first treated with dilute sulfuric acid under selected conditions (acid concentration, temperature and time) and then treated with enzymes (cellulases and |3-glucosidase). The chemical composition (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin contents) of each biomass material and the yields of total and different types of sugars after the acid and enzyme treatments were determined. The results showed that among the saline crops evaluated, the two grasses had the highest glucose yield (87% cellulose conversion) and fastest reaction rate during the enzymetreatment. Of the two wood species evaluated, Athel has higher glucose yield (60% cellulose conversion) than Eucalyptus (38% cellulose conversion).