Comparison of sulfuric and hydrochloric acids as catalysts in hydrolysis of Kappaphycus alvarezii (cottonii)

• Published in: Bioprocess and biosystems engineering 2012-01, Vol.35 (1-2), p.123-128
• Main Authors: Meinita, Maria Dyah Nur, Hong, Yong-Ki, Jeong, Gwi-Taek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acids; Biofuels; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Carbohydrate Metabolism - physiology; Catalysis; Catalysts; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Comparative studies; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Food Science; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hydrochloric acid; Hydrochloric Acid - metabolism; Hydrology; Hydrolysis; Industrial and Production Engineering; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Original Paper; Rhodophyta - chemistry; Rhodophyta - classification; Rhodophyta - metabolism; Species Specificity; Sugar; Sulfuric acid; Sulfuric Acids - metabolism
• ISSN: 1615-7591; 1615-7605
• DOI: 10.1007/s00449-011-0609-9

In this study, hydrolysis of marine algal biomass Kappaphhycus alvarezii using two different acid catalysts was examined with the goal of identifying optimal reaction conditions for the formation of sugars and by-products. K. alvarezii were hydrolyzed by autoclave using sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid as catalyst with different acid concentrations (0.1–1.0 M), substrate concentrations (1.0–13.5%), hydrolysis time (10–90 min) and hydrolysis temperatures (100–130  ° C). A difference in galactose, glucose, reducing sugar and total sugar content was observed under the different hydrolysis conditions. Different by-product compounds such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and levulinic acid were also observed under the different reaction conditions. The optimal conditions for hydrolysis were achieved at a sulfuric acid concentration, temperature and reaction time of 0.2 M, 130 °C and 15 min, respectively. These results may provide useful information for the development of more efficient systems for biofuel production from marine biomass.