• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.475-489
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• 2022

The objective of this study was to understand the conversion characteristics of glucose and xylose using the major monosaccharide standards for lignocellulosic biomass. The acid-catalyzed organosolv pretreatment conducted using ethanol was significantly different from the acid-catalyzed process conducted in an aqueous medium. 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), levulinic acid and furfural were produced from glucose conversion. The maximum yield of 5-HMF was 5.5%, at 200℃, when 0.5% sulfuric acid was used. The maximum yield of levulinic acid was 21.5%, at 220℃, when 1.0% sulfuric acid was used. Furfural was produced from xylose conversion and under 0.5% sulfuric acid, furfural reached the maximum yield 48.5% at 210℃. Ethyl levulinate and methyl levulinate were also formed from the glucose standard following the esterification reaction conducted under conditions of the combined conversion method, which proceeded under both ethanol-rich and water-rich conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.101-117
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• 2024

The conversion characteristics of the major components of Liriodendron tulipifera were investigated during acid-catalyzed organosolv pretreatment. Glucan in L. tulipifera was slowly hydrolyzed, whereas xylan was rapidly hydrolyzed. Simultaneous hydrolysis and degradation of xylan and lignin occurred; however, after complete hydrolysis of xylan at higher temperatures, lignin remained and was not completely degraded or solubilized. These conversion characteristics influence the structural properties of glucan in L. tulipifera. Critical hydrolysis of the crystalline regions in glucan occurred along with rapid hydrolysis of the amorphous regions in xylan and lignin. Breakdown of internal lignin and xylan bonds, along with solubilization of lignin, causes destruction of the lignin-carbohydrate complex. Over a temperature of 160℃, the lignin that remained was coalesced, migrated, and re-deposited on the surface of pretreated solid residue, resulting in a drastic increase in the number and content of lignin droplets. From the results, the characteristic conversions of each constituent and the changes in the structural properties in L. tulipifera effectively improved enzymatic hydrolysis in the range of 140℃-150℃. Therefore, it can be concluded that significant changes in the biomass recalcitrance of L. tulipifera occurred during organosolv pretreatment.