Detoxification of sugarcane hemicellulosic hydrolyzate using a fixed bed column packed with encapsulated lamellar double hydroxide

Abstract

Brazil is the world's largest producer of sugarcane. The lignocellulosic biomass of sugarcane (bagasse) is an excellent source for use in bioprocesses, once removed the inhibitory compounds formed during the pretreatment of the biomass. To remove them, the use of lamellar double hydroxides (LDH) as an adsorbent has been proposed. In this context, the aim of this work was to develop a process that allows the detoxification of the sugarcane hydrolyzate in a fixed bed column packed with LDH encapsulated in alginate. A complete experimental design (CCRD) was used to study the effect of the mass of adsorbent, flow and temperature on the adsorption of the inhibitors. Furfural and Hydroxymethylfurfural, the main inhibitors, were seletively removed. Intermediate temperature, greater mass of adsorbent and higher flow favored their adsorption. Acetic acid and sugars were not separated.