Abstract

LOPEZ-MIRANDA, Javier et al. Optimization of the process for the enzymatic production of fermentable sugars obtained from pine sawdust. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2009, vol.25, n.2, pp.95-102. ISSN 0188-4999.

This paper discusses the use of an industrial residue to reduce the pollution produced at sawmills in Durango, Mexico. Pine sawdust was alkali, acid and vapor pretreated in order to make an enzymatic hydrolysis of the sawdust coming from three different sawmills in the city of Durango and therefore recover the fermentable sugar present in the sawdust. The alkaline pretreatment at autoclave temperature of 120 °C delivers the best results compared to the sulfuric acid pretreatment and steam explosion at 121 °C. The alkaline pretreatment was optimized by the use of the surface response method. The results show that the highest sugar yield (48 %) happened with a concentration of 8 % NaOH at 120 °C for 85 min and at a hydrolysis pH of 4.5 for 240 h, with an enzyme concentration of 25 FPU/g of total carbohydrates. The results show that the method used may be applied to take advantage of the sawdust.

Keywords : enzymatic hydrolysis; pine sawdust; pretreatment; fermentable sugars.