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Feasibility of Manufacturing Cellulose Nanocrystals from the Solid Residues of Second-Generation Ethanol Production from Sugarcane Bagasse

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Abstract

The reuse of the solid residues generated in the production of second-generation (2G) ethanol to obtain high-value products is a potential strategy for improving the economic and environmental viability of the overall process. This study evaluated the feasibility of using the residual solids remaining after the enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse for the production of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), a valuable bionanomaterial. To this end, sugarcane bagasse subjected to steam explosion (SEB) or liquid hot water (LHWB) pretreatment was hydrolysed using different loadings of a commercial cellulase cocktail. Samples of SEB and LHWB were hydrolysed enzymatically, resulting in glucose releases close to 40 g/L, which would be suitable for producing 2G ethanol by microbial fermentation. The solid residues after the enzymatic hydrolysis step presented cellulose contents of up to 54 %, indicating that a significant amount of recalcitrant crystalline cellulose remained available for subsequent use. These solid residues were purified and submitted to acid hydrolysis, resulting in the successful formation of CNC with crystallinity close to 80 %, lengths of 193–246 nm and diameters of 14–18 nm. The CNC produced presented morphology, dimensions, physical-chemical characteristics, thermal stability and crystallinity within the ranges reported for this type of material. Moreover, the enzyme loading or the type of hydrothermal pretreatment process employed here showed no significant effects on the CNC obtained, indicating that these variables could be flexibly adjusted according to specific interests.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Brazilian research funding agencies CAPES, CNPq, FAPESP, SISNANO/MCTI, Agronano Network and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Embrapa Instrumentação, Rua XV de Novembro 1452, 13560-970, São Carlos, SP, Brazil

    L. A. Camargo, S. C. Pereira, A. C. Correa, C. S. Farinas, J. M. Marconcini & L. H. C. Mattoso

  2. Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luis km 235, 13565-905, São Carlos, SP, Brazil

    L. A. Camargo, C. S. Farinas & L. H. C. Mattoso

Authors
  1. L. A. Camargo
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  2. S. C. Pereira
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  3. A. C. Correa
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  4. C. S. Farinas
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  5. J. M. Marconcini
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  6. L. H. C. Mattoso
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Correspondence to L. H. C. Mattoso.

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Camargo, L.A., Pereira, S.C., Correa, A.C. et al. Feasibility of Manufacturing Cellulose Nanocrystals from the Solid Residues of Second-Generation Ethanol Production from Sugarcane Bagasse. Bioenerg. Res. 9, 894–906 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-016-9744-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-016-9744-0

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