Characterisation of lignocellulosic sugars from municipal solid waste residue

• Published in: Biomass & bioenergy Vol. 51; pp. 17 - 25
• Main Authors: Meor Hussin, A.S., Collins, S.R.A., Merali, Z., Parker, M.L., Elliston, A., Wellner, N., Waldron, K.W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-04-2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alcohol; alcohols; Applied sciences; bioenergy; biomass; Cell walls; Composition; Exact sciences and technology; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; fractionation; glucose; lignin; lignocellulose; Municipal solid waste; organic matter; Pollution; Polysaccharides; recycling; Sequential extraction; Urban and domestic wastes; uronic acids; Wastes; Sequential extraction; Composition; Polysaccharides; Cell walls; Municipal solid waste; Fourier transformation; Aldose; Phenolic acid; Urban waste; Lignocellulosics; Cell wall; Characterization; Infrared spectrometry; Residue; Uronic acid; Solid waste; Carbohydrate; Polysaccharide
• ISSN: 0961-9534; 1873-2909
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2012.12.015

Municipal solid waste (MSW) contains significant quantities of plant-derived carbohydrates which have the potential to be exploited as a biomass source. This study evaluated the chemical composition and fractionation of MSW water-insoluble organic matter remaining after recycling of other components (MSWR). The organic matter was prepared as a dry, alcohol insoluble residue (MSWR-AIR, comprising w = 6% of original MSW) and size fractionated into fractions A, B, C & D. Carbohydrates were present in all the sub-fractions, comprising up to w = 54%; their complexity was also assessed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The lignin content in the samples ranged from w = 11–22%. The most carbohydrate-rich subfraction (C; w = 4% original MSW) was sequentially extracted to provide information on the likely constituent cell wall-derived polymers, sugar compositions and uronic acid content. The results indicate that approximately w = 25% of the MSWR-AIR comprises glucose, which appears to be mostly cellulosic in origin. The results are discussed in relation to the potential for exploitation.
► Chemical composition of municipal waste organic fraction. ► Chemical complexity highlighted by FT-IR spectroscopy. ► Approximately 25% of the organic fraction is cellulosic glucose. ► Component carbohydrate polymers sequentially extracted and characterised.