AgroGreen Biofuels (AGN) has developed innovative, cost-effective, proprietary technology solutions for pre-treatment of biomass with synthetic catalysts for effective depolymerization of lignin. AGN has synthesized, efficient, sterically protected and electronically activated organic biomimetic catalysts that depolymerize lignin, at ambient temperatures and pressures, to a mixture of phenolics, hemicellulose, and cellulose in excellent yields. Salient features of our technology include: 1) Structural scaffolds incorporate the aza macrocycle into the primary structure. 2) Depolymerization of lignin is complete in primarily aqueous systems; limited amounts of organic solvents are used. 3) The co-oxidants that are used are effective in neutral to mildly alkaline conditions and the pH is maintained at this level throughout. 4) Reduction/elimination of enzymes in saccharification through in-situ enzyme production with recombinant microbes further reduces the overall production cost. 5) Use of plant waste that is geographically abundant and available locally to minimize transportation costs. In addition we have optimized product yields by: 1) Improving enzyme efficiency across different pH and temperature environments. 2) Genetically modified efficient microbes to gain higher yields in the fermentation process. 3) Adopted sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. 4) Using a wide variety of plant waste as a feedstock.

Pre-treatment of bagasse: A chemist's approach to lignin depolymerization

245th National Meeting (2013)

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