CATALYZED FLASH PRETREATMENTS IMPROVE SACCHARIFICATION OF PINE (PINUS-RADIATA) SAWDUST
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Date
1989
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Abstract
Physico-chemical pretreatments with steam explosion were used to improve digestion in vitro of pine sawdust. Maximum reducing sugar yields (g/100 g substrate) obtained after hydrolysis of pretreated samples were: 14 g for steam-exploded sawdust, 26 g for SO2 impregnated steam-exploded samples and 32.5 g for CO2 steam-exploded samples. Increase in digestibility is related to the catalytic effect of cooking at high temperatures with dissolved acids formed from the gases, as well as to the physical effect of the discharge during the explosion. Pretreatment with SO2 was the most efficient process for hydrolyzing hemicelluloses, as determined by the high content of soluble reducing sugars present in the washing liquor.