Design, synthesis and evaluation of novel glycosyl surfactant—lignocellulosic hydrolysate esters from shrub willow

•A novel glycosyl surfactant from lignocellulosic biomass is prepared.•A green process for utilization of agricultural and forest residues is proposed.•The lignocellulosic hydrolysate esters exhibit remarkable surface activity.

To meet the demands for environmental benign and food safety of surfactant industry, a green process for conversion of agriculture and forest residues into high-value added carbohydrate products has been presented in this work. The process was conducted with ultrasonic assistant and carbon-based solid alkali catalysts, and the maxim yield of lignocelulosic hydrolysate esters (LHE) could reach 88.5%, with 81.3% content of monoester. The as-prepared LHE were characterized and evaluated using FT-IR, 2D-NMR and TLC, indicated that the as-prepared LHE mainly compose of lignocellulosic monose esters and lignocellulosic oligose esters. Significantly, the LHE exhibited remarkable surfactant capacity as a glycosyl surfactant with the surface tension of 33.0 mN/m, CMC value of 0.514 g/L, emulsifying power value of 11.63 min and HLB number of 13.9, respectively. This process could offer a promising strategy for effective conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into high-value added carbohydrate products.

Graphical abstractA green process for conversion of agriculture and forest residues into high-value added carbohydrate products has been presented in this work.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide