Effects of soaking aqueous ammonia pretreatment on selected properties and enzymatic hydrolysis of poplar (Populus trichocarpa) wood

Abstract

Effects of soaking aqueous ammonia pretreatment were considered for fast-growing poplar wood in the context of bioethanol production. The milled Populus trichocarpa wood with a particle size of 0.43 to 1.02 mm was pretreated at two temperatures (50 °C and 90 °C) and two concentrations of ammonia solution (15% and 20% w/w) for 20 h. The lignin content decreased by 46% in the biomass treated with the most severe conditions. After enzymatic hydrolysis, the sugar yield was analysed, and the results indicated that increased temperature and ammonia concentration during pretreatment resulted in higher glucose content. Additionally, changes in the degree of polymerization and available pore volume were investigated.