THE COMPARISON OF ACID AND ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS OF PULP OBTAINED FROM POPLAR WOOD (POPULUS SP.) BY THE KRAFT METHOD

Abstract

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 Na 2 S).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.