Enzymatic Saccharification of Salix viminalis cv. Q683 Biomass for Bioethanol Production

The possibility of employing biomass of Salix viminalis cv. Q683 as a resource of bio-energy was evaluated. The chemical analysis of S. viminalis cv. Q683 leaf biomass showed components such as, extractives (2.57%), lignin (39.06%), hemicellulose (21.61%), and cellulose (37.83%), whereas, its stem was composed of extractives (1.67%), lignin (23.54%), hemicellulose (33.64%), and cellulose (42.03%). The biomass of S. viminalis cv. Q683 was saccharified using two enzymes celluclast and viscozyme. The saccharification of S. viminalis cv. Q683 biomass was influenced by enzymes and their strengths. The optimal enzyme combination was found to be celluclast (59 FPU/g substrate) and viscozyme (24 FBG/g substrate). On saccharification the glucose from leaf and stem biomass was 7.5g/L and 11.7g/L, respectively after 72 hr of enzyme treatment. The biomass and enzyme-treated biomass served as the feedstock for ethanol production by fermentation. The ethanol production from stem and leaf biomass was 5.8 g/L and 2.2 g/L respectively, while the fermentation of the enzymatic hydrolysates yielded 5 g/L to 8 g/L bioethanol in 72 hours.