Processing of persimmon tree pruning waste through the circular economy: Lignin nanoparticles and cellulosic ethanol production

• Published in: Renewable energy Vol. 238; p. 121932
• Main Authors: Mesquita, Ricardo Marchezan Farias de, Dal Prá, Júlia Caroline, Fontana, Roselei Claudete, Montipó, Sheila, Baudel, Henrique Macedo, Diebold, Eduardo, Schneider, Willian Daniel Hahn, Camassola, Marli
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2025
• Subjects: Alkaline and ethanol organosolv treatment; Biorefinery; Dilute acid pre-treatment; Diospyros kaki L; Nanolignin; Alkaline and ethanol organosolv treatment; Dilute acid pre-treatment; Biorefinery; Nanolignin; Diospyros kaki L
• ISSN: 0960-1481
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2024.121932

Persimmon tree pruning waste (PTPW) was subjected to different fractionation methods and bioconversion conditions to obtain lignin nanoparticles and cellulosic ethanol. Lignins were converted into manometric structures (Ø = 150–250 nm) with a high degree of uniformity, spherical or nearly spherical conformation, homogeneous dispersion and colloidal stability, with yields ranging from 16 % to 30 % by weight. Separate hydrolysis and fermentation of the pre-treated biomass indicated that the condition of slow acid addition followed by alkaline treatment provided a biomass more susceptible to enzymatic hydrolysis, with fermentable sugar yields above 60 % and an ethanol yield of 0.37 (g g−1). Thus, the use of PTPW to obtain lignin nanoparticles and cellulosic ethanol is feasible and results in value-added products; this study is the first in the literature to promote the use of PTPW.
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