title: Acid-catalyzed conversion of xylose, xylan and straw into furfural by microwave-assisted reaction.
abstract: Furfural is a biomass derived-chemical that can be used to replace petrochemicals. In this study, the acid-catalyzed conversion of xylose and xylan to furfural by microwave-assisted reaction was investigated at selected ranges of temperature (140-190°C), time (1-30 min), substrate concentration (1:5-1:200 solid:liquid ratio), and pH (2-0.13). We found that a temperature of 180°C, a solid:liquid ratio of 1:200, a residence time of 20 min, and a pH of 1.12 gave the best furfural yields. The effect of different Brønsted acids on the conversion efficiency of xylose and xylan was also evaluated, with hydrochloric acid being found to be the most effective catalyst. The microwave-assisted process provides highly efficient conversion: furfural yields obtained from wheat straw, triticale straw, and flax shives were 48.4%, 45.7%, and 72.1%, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Pacific Agri-Food Research Center, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 4200 Highway 97, Summerland, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Oktay
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yemiş
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mazza
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D018533:Biomass; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D002384:Catalysis; D003890:Desiccation; D005662:Furaldehyde / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008031:Lignin / Q000737:chemistry; D008872:Microwaves; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014866:Waste Products / Q000032:analysis*; D014990:Xylans / Q000737:chemistry*; D014994:Xylose / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D002241:Carbohydrates; D014866:Waste Products; D014990:Xylans; C036909:lignocellulose; D008031:Lignin; D014994:Xylose; D005662:Furaldehyde