ABSTRACT Developing a Fundamental Understanding of Biomass Structural Features Responsible

Abstract

Lignocellulosic biomass is one of the most valuable alternative energy sources because it is renewable, widely available, and environmentally friendly. Unfortunately, enzymatic hydrolysis of biomass has been shown to be a limiting factor in the conversion of biomass to chemicals and fuels. This limitation is due to inherent structural features (i.e., acetyl content, lignin content, crystallinity, surface area, particle size, and pore volume) of biomass. These structural features are barriers that prevent complete hydrolysis; therefore, pretreatment techniques are necessary to render biomass highly digestible. The ability to predict the biomass reactivity based solely on its structural features would be of monumental importance. Unfortunately, no study to date can predict with certainty the digestibility of pretreated biomass. A concerted effort with Auburn University and Michigan State University has been undertaken to study hydrolysis mechanisms on a fundamental level. Predicting enzymatic hydrolysis based solely on structural features (lignin content, acetyl content, and crystallinity index) would be a major breakthrough in understanding enzymatic digestibility