Biogas production and saccharification of Salix pretreated at different steam explosion conditions

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2011-09, Vol.102 (17), p.7932-7936
• Main Authors: Horn, Svein J., Estevez, Maria M., Nielsen, Henrik K., Linjordet, Roar, Eijsink, Vincent G.H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biofuel; Biofuel production; Biofuels; Biogas; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Carbohydrates - chemistry; Cellulase; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Communities; Energy; Enzymatic hydrolysis; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glucose; Hydrolysis; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Inhibitors; Methane; Microorganisms; Pretreatment; Salix; Steam explosions; Xylose
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2011.06.042

► Steam explosion is an efficient pretreatment method for both biogas and bioethanol. ► Steam treated Salix achieved a methane yield of 0.24l/gVS. ► Optimum pretreatment conditions were 210°C and 10min. ► Enzymatic sugar release is correlated to final biogas yield. ► A 24h enzymatic hydrolysis can be used to predict biogas yield from Salix. Different steam explosion conditions were applied to Salix chips and the effect of this pretreatment was evaluated by running both enzymatic hydrolysis and biogas tests. Total enzymatic release of glucose and xylose increased with pretreatment harshness, with maximum values being obtained after pretreatment for 10min at 210°C. Harsher pretreatment conditions did not increase glucose release, led to degradation of xylose and to formation of furfurals. Samples pretreated at 220 and 230°C initially showed low production of biogas, probably because of inhibitors produced during the pretreatment, but the microbial community was able to adapt and showed high final biogas production. Interestingly, final biogas yields correlated well with sugar yields after enzymatic hydrolysis, suggesting that at least in some cases a 24h enzymatic assay may be developed as a quick method to predict the effects of pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass on biogas yields.