Potentials of lignocellulosic bioethanols produced from hardwood in Taiwan

Their fast growth and adaptability make hardwoods good candidates for bioethanol production. This study evaluated acacia and eucalypt for bioethanol production in Taiwan. Enzyme formulations with endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolases and xylanase activities were applied for subsequent saccharification. The hydrolysis efficiencies were negatively impacted by the lignin contents of pulps. SSF (Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation) were also conducted using Saccharomyces cerevisiae D5A. After 170 h, 70.72 and 65.21 g of ethanol (per kg oven-dried wood) were produced from acidic exploded acacia and eucalypt pulps, respectively. In addition, 44.50 and 42.27 g of ethanol (per kg oven-dried wood) were produced from unbleached acacia and eucalypt kraft pulps, respectively. The overall potential of bioethanol production from the hardwoods in Taiwan was also estimated.

► Lignocellulosic bioethanols produced from hardwood in Taiwan are firstly reported.
► Impacts of pulp lignin and xylan contents on hydrolysis efficiencies were quantified.
► The ethanol production rates were quantified for acacia and eucalypt pulps.
► The obtained data could serve as the basic case for further process improvement.