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The aim of this study was to determine the changes occurring in the wood cellulose of the fast-growing poplar (Populus deltoides × maximowiczii) under the influence of steam explosion (SE) pretreatment. Cellulose from native wood and after pretreatment at 160 and 205 °C was isolated. Cellulose polymerization degree by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and cellulose crystallinity index by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) were determined. The profiles of sugars in the native wood and in the solid fraction after pretreatment (using the acid hydrolysis method) were also determined. In addition, the profile of monosaccharides in the liquid fraction obtained after steam explosion and in the liquid fraction after acid hydrolysis of the oligosaccharides were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This allowed to determine the change in the yield of hexoses and pentoses in the studied material. The behavior of cellulose in wood subjected to steam explosion at 160 and 205 °C and isolated by the Kürschner–Hoffer method was studied by determining the absorption bands of FTIR-ATR spectra. The lateral order index (LOI) of cellulose was calculated from the ratio of the intensity of the corresponding absorption bands A1422/A896 cm−1. Total crystallinity index (TCI) of cellulose was calculated from the ratio of the intensity of absorption bands A1372/A2900 cm−1. TCI of Kürschner-Hoffer cellulose isolated from wood subjected to steam explosion at 160 and 205 °C decreased by 5.6 and 5.0%, respectively, with regard to the applied temperature. LOI increased in cellulose isolated from wood subjected to steam explosion at 160 °C (by 0.7%) and at 205 °C (by 19.2%) in relation to the index of cellulose isolated from native wood. Kürschner–Hoffer cellulose isolated from wood subjected to steam explosion at 160 and 205 °C exhibited, respectively, a reduced degree of polymerization of about 11% and about 8%. Polydispersity index in Kürschner–Hoffer cellulose was 1% lower after both pretreatments than native sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the paper, three different physico-chemical pretreatment methods in relation to bioethanol production were compared. The wood of fast-growing poplar species (Populus deltoides x maximowiczii and Populus trichocarpa Torr. & A. Gray ex Hook) and corn stover were used as a feedstock. The chemical composition and enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency of the biomass before and after pretreatments were compared. On the basis of the results, it was concluded that the applied pretreatments changed the chemical composition of the raw materials. In the case of the acid and LHW (liquid hot water pretreatment) methods, up to 93.7% of hemicelluloses (especially pentosans) were removed. From among the selected pretreatment methods, the LHW and alkaline methods occurred to be the most interesting. Nevertheless, from the bioethanol production point of view, the LHW process of Populus deltoides x maximowiczii wood was the best because after enzymatic hydrolysis, high amounts of glucose (up to 600.9 mg/g pretreated biomass) and minor amounts of xylose (up to 37.9 mg/g pretreated biomass) were produced. Moreover, based on the chemical composition and sugar profile analysis, it was proved that the Populus trichocarpa wood also has a high potential for bioethanol production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the influence of physicochemical pretreatment methods on the chemical composition, enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency and porosity of fast-growing Populus trichocarpa wood was compared. Among the pretreatment methods, the liquid hot water (LHW) and steam explosion (SE) were used, which were performed at three different temperatures (160 °C, 175 °C and 190 °C) and two residence times (15 min and 1 h). The chemical composition, enzymatic hydrolysis and porosity analysis were done for native wood and solid fraction obtained after LHW and SE pretreatments. The porosity analysis was performed by inverse size exclusion chromatography method. Additionally, inhibitors of hydrolysis and fermentation processes in the liquid and solid fractions obtained after pretreatments were examined. Based on the results, it was found that the tested pretreatments caused the greatest changes in the chemical content of hemicelluloses. It was found that after LHW and SE pretreatments up to 99.1% or 94.0%, respectively, of hemicelluloses were removed from the obtained solid fraction. Moreover, the LHW and SE processes greatly enhanced the enzymatic digestibility of fast-growing poplar wood. The highest glucose yield was achieved after 15 min of SE pretreatment at 190 °C and was 676.4 mg/g pretreated biomass, while in the case of xylose the highest value (119.3 mg/g pretreated biomass) was obtained after 15 min of LHW pretreatment at 160 °C. Generally, after SE pretreatment process, more inhibitors were formed, and a greater effect of porous structure development was noticed than after LHW pretreatment. Despite this difference, the average glucose contents and yields after enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated biomass were generally similar regardless of the pretreatment used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares the acid and enzymatic hydrolysis in relation to bioethanol production. The pulp obtained from wood of the fast-growing poplar species (Populus deltoides x maximowiczii and Populus trichocarpa Torr. & A. Gray ex Hook) was used as a feedstock. The delignification process by the Kraft method was carried out with 19% and 26% of active alkali (NaOH and Na2S). The obtained sugars (xylose and glucose) were analyzed by a high-performance liquid chromatography. The results concluded that the enzymatic hydrolysis process is better than acid hydrolysis because a higher content of sugars (especially xylose) was obtained. Additionally, after the acid and enzymatic hydrolysis process from Populus trichocarpa pulp, more sugars were obtained than from the pulp of Populus deltoides × maximowiczii. The Kraft pulp from the wood of fast-growing poplar species is a good raw material for the production of glucose. However, in order to obtain a higher xylose content and finally increase the profitability of bioethanol production, a new method should be developed, or the Kraft method should be optimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis of six metals: chromium, manganese, iron, nickel, copper and zinc (possible inhibitors of enzymatic hydrolysis of wood) in samples of two poplar species, Populus trichocarpa and Populus maximowiczii, was performed in order to check which of them collect more of the metallic inhibitors during tree growth and steam explosion pretreatment. The XRF point scan (for solid and ashed wood) and mapping (for stem cross-sections) options were used. Samples of the different parts - stem, branches, leaves and bark were studied. Steam explosion at 130°C, 160°C and 190°C was performed on both species and the influence of steam on the chosen metals content was analysed. On the basis of the results, P. trichocarpa is the species which accumulates a higher amount of the metals during tree growth and P. maximowiczii - during steam explosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast-growing poplar trees from plantations are the source of inexpensive wood that is intended mainly for chemical processing in the pulp and paper industry. Their potential as raw material for biofuel manufacturing is widely discussed as well. The detailed chemical composition of this raw material is therefore an important question. Five species of poplars were investigated: Populus alba, P. maximowiczii, P. trichocarpa, P. nigra, and P. tremula. Wood is a material consisting mainly of lignocellulose, but there are also many extractives. In temperate zone climate they typically represent up to 5% of wood mass. Their identification is difficult, due to various classes of compounds and great number of individual ones. These compounds can affect the properties of wood—its resistance to biotic agents and suitability to enzymatic treatment towards biofuels. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer (GC-MS) was used to analysis of extractives in various species of poplar wood. Compounds from several classes were identified like phenols, fatty acids, and their derivatives, sterols. Their identification was discussed along with estimation of their content in wood of investigated species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black poplar (Populus nigra L.) was thermally modified in nitrogen atmosphere. The effects of the modification process on poplar wood were evaluated for temperatures: 160 °C, 190 °C, and 220 °C applied for 2 h; and 160 °C and 190 °C for 6 h. The percentual impact of temperature and time of modification on the properties of modified wood was analysed. The study permitted the identification correlations between the chemical composition and selected physical properties of thermally modified poplar wood. The dimensional stability of poplar wood was improved after thermal modification in nitrogen. The higher the temperature of modification, the lower the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of black poplar. At the temperature of 220 °C, EMC was two times lower than the EMC of non-modified black poplar. It is also possible to reduce the dimensional changes of wood two-fold (at the modification temperature of 220 °C), both in radial and tangential directions, independently of the acclimatization conditions (from 34% to 98% relative humidity, RH). Similar correlations have been found for wood that has been soaked in water. Higher modification temperatures and longer processing times contributed to a lower swelling anisotropy (SA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]