Monday, May 2, 2011
Grand Ballroom C-D, 2nd fl (Sheraton Seattle)
Sugarcane bagasse is the major by-product of the sugar industry with great potential for the production of biofuels and chemicals due to its considerable amount of cellulose and hemicellulose. In a previous study, we investigated a simple and economic pretreatment process using dilute ammonia (0-0.3%, w/w) to store sugarcane bagasse at 30°C which resulted in the removal of 46% lignin and the preservation of 100% of the cellulose and 73% of the hemicellulose. This study compares the effect of a 20 min soaking/draining of sugarcane bagasse in an ammonium hydroxide or a calcium hydroxide solution stored for 30 days at 30°C on its lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose content and digestibility.