Relationship between fiber porosity and cellulose digestibility in steam-exploded Pinus radiata

Journal Article · Tue Apr 05 00:00:00 EDT 1988 · Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.260310509· OSTI ID:6982572

Wong, K K.Y.; Deverell, K F; Mackie, K L; Clark, T A; Donaldson, L A

The use of lignocellulosic materials in bioconversion processes may be improved if the critical factors limiting conversion are better understood. Steam explosion after sulfur dioxide impregnation of wood chips is an effective method for improving the enzymatic digestibility of cellulose in the softwood Pinus radiata. Digestibility of pretreated fiber was progressively increased by altering the conditions of steam explosion. With increasing digestibility, there was an observed increase in fiber porosity as measured by the solute exclusion technique. Accessible pore volume and accessible surface area to a 5-nm dextran probe positively correlated with both 2- and 24-h digestion yields from pretreated fiber. The increase in accessibility was probably the result of hemicellulose extraction and lignin redistribution. A subsequent loss in accessibility, brought about by structural collapse or further lignin redistribution, resulted in a corresponding loss in digestibility. It appears that steam explosion increases cellulose digestibility in P. radiata by increasing fiber porosity.

• Research Organization: Forest Research Institute, Rotorua (New Zealand)
• OSTI ID: 6982572
• Journal Information: Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States), Vol. 31:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
CELLULOSE
ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS
FIBERS
POROSITY
BIOCONVERSION
PINES
STEAM
USES
CARBOHYDRATES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONIFERS
DECOMPOSITION
HYDROLYSIS
LYSIS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
POLYSACCHARIDES
SACCHARIDES
SOLVOLYSIS
TREES
140504* - Solar Energy Conversion- Biomass Production & Conversion- (-1989)