Optimization of hydrothermal conversion of bamboo (Phyllostachys aureosulcata) to levulinic acid via response surface methodology

In this study, the dilute acid hydrolysis of lignocellulosic bamboo (Phyllostachys aureosulcata) particles to levulinic acid in a hydrothermal synthesis reactor is reported. The aim of the study was to optimize the reaction conditions for maximum levulinic acid production in terms of reaction time (t), reaction temperature (T) and HCl concentration (cHCl) via Response Surface Methodology (RSM). A maximum levulinic acid yield of 9.46 w% was predicted at the following reaction conditions: t of 3 h, T of 160 °C and cHCl of 0.37 M. A maximal experimental yield of levulinic acid of 10.13 w% was observed, which in respect to the cellulose fraction of the bamboo particles corresponds to 34.60 w% or 48.05 mol%. Furfural, which is formed by the hemicellulose fraction of bamboo, has not been observed within the boundaries of the RSM model, since it is already degraded under the given reaction conditions. The conversion of levulinic acid and furfural occurred more or less simultaneously, however, furfural was more vulnerable to degradation reactions at the given process conditions. Therefore, if both fractions (cellulose + hemicellulose) are required to be valorized, further optimization is required. However, the global results of this study provide insight in the potential of lignocellulosic bamboo as an alternative platform to fossil sources.