| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 681535 | Bioresource Technology | 2012 | 6 Pages |
Ionic liquids (ILs) are promising solvents for the pretreatment of lignocellulose as they are thermally stable, environmentally friendly, recyclable, and have low volatility. This study evaluated the effect of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM][OAc]) for the pretreatment of energy cane bagasse in terms of biomass composition, structural changes and enzymatic digestibility. Energy cane bagasse was pretreated with [EMIM][OAc] (5% (w/w)) at 120 °C for 30 min followed by hydrolysis with commercially available enzymes, Spezyme CP and Novozyme 188. IL-treated energy cane bagasse resulted in significant lignin removal (32.0%) with slight glucan and xylan losses (8.8% and 14.0%, respectively), and exhibited a much higher enzymatic digestibility (87.0% and 64.3%) than untreated (5.5% and 2.8%) or water-treated (4.0% and 2.1%) energy cane bagasse in terms of both cellulose and hemicellulose digestibilities, respectively. The enhanced digestibilities of IL-treated biomass can be attributed to delignification and reduction of cellulose crystallinity as confirmed by FTIR and XRD analyses.
Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate is an effective catalyst for pretreatment of energy cane bagasse. ► Significant lignin removal with slight glucan and xylan losses were observed. ► Cellulose and hemicellulose digestibilities were significant. ► Changes in cellulose crystallinity were observed.
