Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Fast-Growing Poplar Wood After Pretreatment by Steam Explosion (original) (raw)

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of steam explosion pretreatment, without maintaining the heating temperature, on the yield of enzymatic hydrolysis of wood biomass. Genetically modified poplar wood was used for the investigation. The pretreatment process was conducted at temperatures of 160 °C, 175 °C, 190 °C and 205 °C. Then, the system was rapidly decompressed. The heating medium was water. The chemical composition of biomass was determined before and after the steam explosion and then enzymatic hydrolysis was performed. The results of the chemical composition analysis showed a change in the holocellulose content in the analyzed biomass (about 80% for the native sample and 72% for the biomass sample treated at 205 °C), a decrease in the hemicelluloses content from about 40% (native sample) to 16% for the sample treated at 205 °C. The results of enzymatic hydrolysis showed the lowest glucose extraction efficiency for biomass hydrolysis after the treatment ...