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Multiple response optimization of alkaline pretreatment of sisal fiber ( Agave sisalana ) assisted by ultrasound
Author(s) -
Brito Jeane Q. A.,
Dias Fábio De S.,
Cunha Silvio,
Ramos Luiz P.,
Teixeira Leonardo S. G.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
biotechnology progress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.572
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6033
pISSN - 8756-7938
DOI - 10.1002/btpr.2802
Subject(s) - hemicellulose , sisal , sonication , lignin , fiber , cellulose , chemistry , agave , chromatography , nuclear chemistry , pulp and paper industry , materials science , botany , biochemistry , organic chemistry , composite material , biology , engineering
A procedure for the alkaline pretreatment of sisal fiber assisted by ultrasound was optimized to obtain a higher solubilization of hemicellulose and the removal of lignin with cellulose fraction maintenance. A full factorial design 2 3 was used for the evaluation of the effects of the variables (sonication time, NaOH concentration, and sonication amplitude) on the pretreatment. The optimal values for the variables using the Doehlert matrix for the sonication time, NaOH concentration, and sonication amplitude were 27 min, 4.1% (m/v), and 50%, respectively. The X‐ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy analyses, after pretreatment, showed changes in chemical structure and morphology due to the removal of 82% of hemicellulose and 86% of lignin from sisal fiber. The soft reaction conditions and relatively short times demonstrated the effectiveness of the combined action of ultrasound with alkaline pretreatment to improve the accessibility to cellulose in this important step of the ethanol production process from biomass.