Quantitative and visual analysis of enzymatic lignocellulose degradation

Review of Current Prospects for Using Miscanthus-Based Polymers

Carbon neutrality is a requisite for industrial development in modern times. In this paper, we review information on possible applications of polymers from the energy crop Miscanthus in the global industries, and we highlight the life cycle aspects of Miscanthus in detail. We discuss the benefits of Miscanthus cultivation on unoccupied marginal lands as well as the rationale for the capabilities of Miscanthus regarding both soil carbon storage and soil remediation. We also discuss key trends in the processing of Miscanthus biopolymers for applications such as a fuel resources, as part of composite materials, and as feedstock for fractionation in order to extract cellulose, lignin, and other valuable chemicals (hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, phenols) for the subsequent chemical synthesis of a variety of products. The potentialities of the biotechnological transformation of the Miscanthus biomass into carbohydrate nutrient media and then into the final products of microbiological synthesis are also examined herein.

Evaluation of Chemical Composition of Miscanthus × giganteus Raised in Different Climate Regions in Russia

Lignocellulosic biomass is of great interest as an alternative energy resource because it offers a range of merits. Miscanthus × giganteus is a lignocellulosic feedstock of special interest, as it combines a high biomass productivity with a low environmental impact, including CO₂ emission control. The chemical composition of lignocellulose determines the application potential for efficient industrial processing. Here, we compiled a sample collection of Miscanthus × giganteus that had been cultivated in different climate regions between 2019 and 2021. The chemical composition was quantified by the conventional wet methods. The findings were compared with each other and with the known data. Starting as soon as the first vegetation year, Miscanthus was shown to feature the following chemical composition: 43.2-55.5% cellulose content, 17.1-25.1% acid-insoluble lignin content, 17.9-22.9% pentosan content, 0.90-2.95% ash content, and 0.3-1.2% extractives. The habitat and the surrounding environment were discovered herein to affect the chemical composition of Miscanthus. The stem part of Miscanthus was found to be richer in cellulose than the leaf (48.4-54.9% vs. 47.2-48.9%, respectively), regardless of the planation age and habitat. The obtained findings broaden the investigative geography of the chemical composition of Miscanthus and corroborate the high value of Miscanthus for industrial conversion thereof into cellulosic products worldwide.

Membrane Bioreactors: A Promising Approach to Enhanced Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Cellulose

The depletion of fossil fuel resources and the negative impact of their use on the climate have resulted in the need for alternative sources of clean, sustainable energy. One available alternative, bioethanol, is a potential substitute for, or additive to, petroleum-derived gasoline. In the lignocellulose-to-bioethanol process, the cellulose hydrolysis step represents a major hurdle that hinders commercialization. To achieve economical production of bioethanol from lignocellulosic materials, the rate and yield of the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose, which is preferred over other chemically catalyzed processes, must be enhanced. To achieve this, product inhibition and enzyme loss, which are two major challenges, must be overcome. The implementation of membranes, which can permeate molecules selectively based on their size, offers a solution to this problem. Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) can enhance enzymatic hydrolysis yields and lower costs by retaining enzymes for repeated usage while permeating the products. This paper presents a critical discussion of the use of MBRs as a promising approach to the enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic materials. Various MBR configurations and factors that affect their performance are presented.