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Optimization of Ionic Liquid Pretreatment of Mixed Softwood by Response Surface Methodology and Reutilization of Ionic Liquid from Hydrolysate

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Abstract

We investigated the feasibility of producing bioethanol from mixed softwood pretreated with the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Bmim]Ac). The optimal pretreatment conditions were determined by response surface methodology to be 100°C for 15 h, and the fermentable sugar yield was estimated to be 92.5%. Efficient pretreatment of softwood was maintained even after reutilizing [Bmim]Ac up to four times. Through the enzymatic saccharification and subsequent fermentation, bioethanol was produced with 0.42 g/g of yield and 0.24 g/L/h of productivity, which clearly suggests that efficient and economical bioethanol production can be achieved by optimizing pretreatment processes and reutilizing ionic liquid.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioenergy Science and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 500-757, Korea

    Ly Thi Phi Trinh & Won-Heong Lee

  2. Research Institute for Biotechnology and Environment, Nong Lam University, Hochiminh, Vietnam

    Ly Thi Phi Trinh

  3. Gwangju Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Gwangju, 500-757, Korea

    Young-Ju Lee

  4. Department of Forest Products and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 500-757, Korea

    Jae-Won Lee

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  1. Ly Thi Phi Trinh
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  2. Young-Ju Lee
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  4. Won-Heong Lee
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Correspondence to Won-Heong Lee.

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Trinh, L.T.P., Lee, YJ., Lee, JW. et al. Optimization of Ionic Liquid Pretreatment of Mixed Softwood by Response Surface Methodology and Reutilization of Ionic Liquid from Hydrolysate. Biotechnol Bioproc E 23, 228–237 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12257-017-0209-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12257-017-0209-x

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