Event Title
Evaluation of Pretreatment Methods in the Production of Ethanol from Cattail Leaves
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
28-4-2009 10:00 AM
End Date
28-4-2009 12:00 PM
Student's Major
Chemistry and Geology
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
James E. Rife
Mentor's Department
Chemistry and Geology
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
Previous research in this lab indicated that cattails are a potential source of biomass for the production of cellulosic ethanol since their carbohydrate composition is comparable to that of other plants being considered for biofuel production. To further test the feasibility of using cattails for biofuel production, we tested various pretreatment methods on dried cattail leaves. Before polysaccharides in plants can be enzymatically hydrolyzed to fermentable sugars, the plant material must be pretreated to render the polysaccharides accessible to the enzymes. The purpose of this project has been to compare the efficiency of three pretreatment methods in preparing cattail biomass for ethanol production. In this project dried, powdered cattail leaves were pretreated either by autoclaving them with 2% sulfuric acid or 0.04 M acetate buffer at pH 4.8 for one hour or by incubating them overnight at 40 C° in 72% aqueous ammonia. In each case, the remaining solid was recovered, washed and dried. Samples of the dried, pretreated solid were treated with cellulase and p-glucosidase for times varying up to 24 hours. To compare the efficiency of these pretreatment methods, glucose liberated in these samples was measured by a glucose oxidase assay and high performance liquid chromatography. Glucose recovered in the original pretreatment liquid was also assayed.
Evaluation of Pretreatment Methods in the Production of Ethanol from Cattail Leaves
CSU Ballroom
Previous research in this lab indicated that cattails are a potential source of biomass for the production of cellulosic ethanol since their carbohydrate composition is comparable to that of other plants being considered for biofuel production. To further test the feasibility of using cattails for biofuel production, we tested various pretreatment methods on dried cattail leaves. Before polysaccharides in plants can be enzymatically hydrolyzed to fermentable sugars, the plant material must be pretreated to render the polysaccharides accessible to the enzymes. The purpose of this project has been to compare the efficiency of three pretreatment methods in preparing cattail biomass for ethanol production. In this project dried, powdered cattail leaves were pretreated either by autoclaving them with 2% sulfuric acid or 0.04 M acetate buffer at pH 4.8 for one hour or by incubating them overnight at 40 C° in 72% aqueous ammonia. In each case, the remaining solid was recovered, washed and dried. Samples of the dried, pretreated solid were treated with cellulase and p-glucosidase for times varying up to 24 hours. To compare the efficiency of these pretreatment methods, glucose liberated in these samples was measured by a glucose oxidase assay and high performance liquid chromatography. Glucose recovered in the original pretreatment liquid was also assayed.
Recommended Citation
Krahmer, Kristen and Elijah N. Wreh. "Evaluation of Pretreatment Methods in the Production of Ethanol from Cattail Leaves." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 28, 2009.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2009/poster-session-C/32
