Abstract
Background: Lignin is a highly abundant biopolymer synthesized by plants as a complex component of plant secondary cell walls. Efforts to utilize lignin-based bioproducts are needed. Results: Herein we identify and characterize the composition and pyrolytic deconstruction characteristics of high-lignin feedstocks. Feedstocks displaying the highest levels of lignin were identified as drupe endocarp biomass arising as agricultural waste from horticultural crops. By performing pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, we characterized lignin-derived deconstruction products from endocarp biomass and compared these with switchgrass. By comparing individual pyrolytic products, we document higher amounts of acetic acid, 1-hydroxy-2-propanone, acetone and furfural in switchgrass compared to endocarp tissue, which is consistent with high holocellulose relative to lignin. By contrast, greater yields of lignin-based pyrolytic products such as phenol, 2-methoxyphenol, 2-methylphenol, 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol and 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol arising from drupe endocarp tissue are documented. Conclusions: Differences in product yield, thermal decomposition rates and molecular species distribution among the feedstocks illustrate the potential of high-lignin endocarp feedstocks to generate valuable chemicals by thermochemical deconstruction.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 43 |
Journal | Biotechnology for Biofuels |
Volume | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2011 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by grants (EFRI-0937657) from the National Science Foundation: Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation (EFRI) program (to SD, MC, GH and SM).
Keywords
- bio-oil
- bioenergy
- biofuels
- catalytic fast pyrolysis
- endocarp
- lignocellulose
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biotechnology
- Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- General Energy
- Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law