IMPROVED METHODS FOR DETERMINATION OF CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF PLANT BIOMASS (original) (raw)

METHODS FOR DETERMINATION OF CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF PLANT BIOMASS

Improved methods for the quantitative analysis of polysaccharides and lignin in biomass samples were developed by Designer Energy Ltd (DE). The DE method for determination of polysaccharides in biomass samples is based on the isolation of holocellulose, i.e. total polysaccharides containing both cellulose and hemicelluloses. After acid hydrolysis of holocellulose under mild conditions hemicelluloses were removed, and as a result the content of cellulose can be determined. The content of acid-insoluble lignin was measured by improved method after two-stage acidic hydrolysis of the biomass. In order to prevent loss of the components, a centrifugation technique was used for isolation of final products. The developed methods were used for analysis of chemical composition of crude and pretreated samples of switchgrass and sugarcane bagasse. It has been shown that DE methods provide more reliable results than conventional methods of chemical analysis.

Quantitative method applicable for various biomass species to determine their chemical composition

Biomass and Bioenergy, 2011

A quantitative method applicable for various biomass species to determine their chemical constituents was explored. The widely used wood analytical method was found to be not entirely applicable to different biomass species. It was then demonstrated that by incorporating protein and starch determinations, by ash-correcting the Klason lignin and holocellulose and also by protein-correcting Klason lignin and holocellulose of high protein content species, reliable summative results that enable comparison between different types of biomass materials were achieved. Thus, an analytical method with starch and protein determinations as well as ash and protein corrections was proposed for quantitative assay of chemical composition of various biomass species.

Method applicable to characterize various biomass species in their chemical composition

A quantitative method applicable for various biomass species to determine their chemical constituents was explored, based on the widely used wood analytical method. Wood analytical method was found to be applicable to wood but not entirely applicable to different biomass species. It was discovered that remaining inorganics, lignin but also protein in holocellulose and Klason lignin of non-woody biomass determined by wood analytical method caused overestimation of the chemical composition. It was, thus, demonstrated that by incorporating protein and starch determinations, by ash-correcting the Klason lignin and holocellulose and also by protein-correcting Klason lignin and holocellulose of high protein content species, reliable summative results that enable comparison between different types of biomass materials were achieved. Such newly revised analytical method applicable to various biomass species was proposed in this study.

Characterization of Lignocellulosic Biomass Using Five Simple Steps

Abstract: The pretreatment of the lignocellulosic biomass is the most important step in the biorefinery processes, because it has a high influence on the yield and efficiency of the subsequent treatments. In order to choose the most suitable pretreatment is necessary to characterize the cellulosic feedstock adequately. TAPPI and NREL methods have been used widely in recent years. The first one is useful to characterize the pulp and paper feedstock, and the second one is used in the biofuels production. However these methods are not fully accurate for determining lignocellulosic materials composition, such as corncob. Therefore in this work, we improved the characterization method modifying some steps. The stages of extraction and quantification of lignin and hemicellulose were enhanced by implementing separate procedures for each component. This methodology has been used successfully for different types of corncob, municipal solid waste and water hyacinth

Characterization of various biomass species for biorefinery applications

The issues on global warming as well as the depleting amount of fossil resources triggered extensive interests on biomass to replace fossil resources for production of fuels, chemicals and materials. For such chemical conversion of biomass, it is essential to understand the cell wall structure and its chemical composition. In addition, characteristics of the biomass are known to affect its conversion technologies and the resultant products. However, the appropriate evaluation of biomass in their chemical composition has not been yet well established. Thus, a comparative study among various biomass species would not be possible. Therefore, a quantitative method applicable to any biomass species in the taxonomical classification was established for their chemical composition such as cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, extractives and inorganics etc. Since such achievements are of great importance not only in academic but also industrial applications for biorefinery, the potentials of the biomass species as a feedstock for biofuels, biochemicals and biomaterials was discussed, particularly on the important challenge of producing bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass resources

Evaluation of Methods for the Analysis of Untreated and Processed Lignocellulosic Biomasses

2020

The overall efficiency of the transformation of lignocellulosic materials to usable products as chemicals and fuels must be governed by adequate analysis of products before and after treatments. Using some promising technologies, lignocelluloses which are biomasses from marine plant and trees, grains, food and non-food crops, and wood-based can give products as fuel alcohol and other chemicals. Various methods of transformation from feedstock to valuable end products are discussed in the scientific literature. Therefore, yields must justify methods used for biomass transformations. As a result, adequate compositional analysis of these processing stages is needed. In this chapter, standard common methods such as gravimetric, chromatography, spectroscopic and their variations for analysis on both untreated and treated lignocelluloses are highlighted. The ease of the use and challenges with recommendations to their applicability to quantifying lignocelluloses fractionations for reprodu...