Bioconversion of wheat straw to ethanol: chemical modification, enzymic hydrolysis, and fermentation

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.260230712· OSTI ID:5206681

Detroy, R W; Lindenfelser, L A; Sommer, S; Orton, W L

Native wheat straw (WS) was pretreated with various concentrations of H2SO4 and NaOH followed by secondary treatments with ethylenediamine (EDA) and NH4OH prior to enzymic saccharification. Conversion of the cellulosic component to sugar varied with the chemical modification steps. Treatment solely with alkali yielded 51-75% conversion, depending on temperature. Acid treatment at elevated temperatures showed a substantial decrease in the hemicellulose component, whereas EDA-treated WS (acid pretreated) showed a 69-75% decrease in the lignin component. Acid-pretreated EDTA-treated straw yielded a 98% conversion rate, followed by 83% for alkali-NH4OH treated straws. In other experiments, WS was pretreated with varying concentrations of H2SO4 or HaOH followed by NH4OH treatment prior to enzymic hydrolysis. Pretreatment of straw with 2% NaOH for 4 h coupled to enzymic hydrolysis yielded a 76% conversion of the cellulosic component. Acid-base combination pretreatments yielded only 43% conversions. A reactor column was subsequently used to measure modification-saccharification-fermentation for wheat straw conversion on a larger scale. Thirty percent conversion of wheat straw cellulosics to sugar were observed with subsequent fermentation to ethanol. The crude cellulase preparation yielded considerable quantities of xylose in addition to the glucose. Saccharified materials were fermented directly with actively proliferating yeast cells without concentration of the sugars.

• Research Organization: North. Reg. Res. Cent., Sci. Educ. Adm., Peoria, IL 61604 USA
• OSTI ID: 5206681
• Journal Information: Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States), Journal Name: Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States) Vol. 23:7; ISSN BIBIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090222* -- Alcohol Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
140504 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
ALCOHOLS
ALDEHYDES
BIOCONVERSION
BIOSYNTHESIS
CARBOHYDRATES
CELLULASE
CELLULOSE
CEREALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS
ENZYMES
ETHANOL
FERMENTATION
GLUCOSE
GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
GRAMINEAE
GRASS
HEMICELLULOSE
HEXOSES
HYDROLASES
HYDROLYSIS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LIGNIN
LYSIS
MONOSACCHARIDES
O-GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PENTOSES
PLANTS
POLYSACCHARIDES
SACCHARIDES
SOLVOLYSIS
STRAW
SYNTHESIS
WHEAT
XYLOSE