New resources for the production of liquid fuels have been considered in replacement fossil feedstock. Woody biomass, as the most widely abundant resource available, is an alternative of choice. However, biomass bioconversion needs to be improved in order to obtain high sugar yields. In our pursue of feasible and environmentally friendly process, we propose the use of microemulsions as a green pretreatment for woody biomass for conversion. Microemulsions are thermodynamically stable and transparent colloidal dispersions of three components: oily and aqueous phases and a surface active agent. An appropriate component mixture is needed for the microemulsion to have the desirable characteristics. Among the surfactants, the non-ionics are the most effective because associated hydrophobic interactions with the lignocellulosic substrate. We found that O/W microemulsions have the ability to penetrate the complex structure of wood at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. The present investigation is aimed at finding the appropriate formulation of microemulsions that allows a high fermentable sugar yield after enzymatic saccharification for both softwood and hardwood species. The characterization of the solid residues, including crystallinity and porosity, was undertaken to evaluate the enzyme-substrate interactions. The application of microemulsions allowed the substrate to swell which is essential in the initial stage of the enzymatic hydrolysis process.

Microemulsions as a green biomass pretreatment for bioconversion

247th National Meeting (2014)

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