Rapid fractionation of various lignocellulosic biomass using gamma-valerolactone

Organosolv fractionation of eucalyptus sawdust using γ-valerolactone (GVL) was optimised to maximise cellulose recovery and enhance the economics of the process. Results showed a pretreated biomass (PB) of 88.3% w/w cellulose could be achieved within 10 min using 56% w/w GVL at 167 °C. To assess potential correlation between the lignocellulosic material composition and effectiveness of the rapid GVL pretreatment, six lignocellulosic biomass, including two sawdust, forestry waste, garden waste, wheat straw and rice straw, were pretreated. The fractionation process favoured sawdust compared to other biomass, where sawdust, forestry waste, garden waste and straws resulted in PB of cellulose content of 81.9–85.8%, 76.4%, 71.9% and 55.5–66.3% w/w, respectively. This trend indicated cellulose recovery correlated with the initial cellulose to lignin (C/L) ratio. PB produced using GVL fractionation had increased cellulose crystallinity. Organosolv using GVL demonstrated high potential for rapid fractionation of sawdust, producing PB of high cellulose content.