Production of Hemicellulose Sugars Combined with the Alkaline Extraction Lignin Increased the Hydro-Depolymerization of Cellulose from Corn Cob

Xiaorui Yang, Xiaotong Li, Liyan Zhu, Jinhua Liang and Jianliang Zhu ()
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Xiaorui Yang: College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, China
Xiaotong Li: College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, China
Liyan Zhu: College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, China
Jinhua Liang: College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, China
Jianliang Zhu: College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 11, 1-19

Abstract: Hydro-depolymerization is a novel method for converting agricultural waste into eco-friendly and promising products. Due to the complex structure and composition of corn cob (CC), a three-step process was developed, which involved pre-hydro-depolymerization of hemicellulose, alkaline extraction of lignin, and hydro-depolymerization of cellulose. The pre-hydro-depolymerization step was at first optimized to produce five-carbon and six-carbon sugars, achieving a maximum hemicellulose conversion rate of 78.48 ± 3.92%, and reducing a sugar yield of 59.12 ± 2.95%. Alkaline treatment achieved a maximum lignin extraction efficiency of 73.76 ± 3.68%. After hemicellulose removal and delignification, the cellulose conversion rate increased to 36.63% and further increased to 76.97% after five cycles. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were performed to confirm physical and chemical changes in CC residues. The integrated process of hydro-depolymerization and alkaline treatment enables the complete exploitation of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, and thus holds great potential for application in the agriculture industry.

Keywords: corn cob; hemicellulose sugars; lignin extraction; cellulose hydro-depolymerization; complete utilization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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