title: Lignin preparation from oil palm empty fruit bunches by sequential acid/alkaline treatment--A biorefinery approach.
abstract: Lignin is an important raw material for the sustainable biorefineries and also the forerunner of high-value added products, such as biocomposite for chemical, pharmaceutical and cement industries. Oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) were used for lignin preparation by successive treatment with 1% (w/w) H2SO4 at 121°C for 60 min and 2.5% NaOH at 121°C for 80 min resulting in the high lignin yield of 28.89%, corresponding to 68.82% of the original lignin. The lignin obtained was characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The results indicated a lignin with molecular masses ramping from 4500 kDa to 12,580 kDa. FTIR and NMR of these lignins showed more syringyl and p-hydroxyphenyl than guaiacyl units. Moderate acid/alkaline treatment provided lignin with high industrial potential and acid hydrolyzates rich in fermentable sugars and highly porous cellulosic fibers.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Paraná, Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology Engineering, CEP 81531-970 Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jesus David Coral
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Paraná, Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology Engineering, CEP 81531-970 Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Adenise
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Woiciechowski
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Paraná, Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology Engineering, CEP 81531-970 Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Arion
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zandona Filho
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Paraná, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, CEP 81531-970 Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Miguel D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Noseda
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Eau, Terre et Environnement, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Brar Satinder
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Paraná, Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology Engineering, CEP 81531-970 Curitiba, PR, Brazil. Electronic address: soccol@ufpr.com.br.
authors.forename: Carlos Ricardo
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Soccol
mesh_terms: D028023:Arecaceae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D066241:Carbon-13 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D005638:Fruit / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008031:Lignin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D000073878:Palm Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000378:metabolism*; D066244:Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013464:Sulfuric Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D010938:Plant Oils; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D000073878:Palm Oil; D008031:Lignin; C033158:sulfuric acid
keywords: Acid/alkaline pretreatment; Biorefineries; Characterization; Lignin extraction; Oil palm empty fruit bunches