Experimental Design Approach for Modeling Acid-Catalyzed IVDV Pretreatment of Hemp Hurds (Cannabis sativa L.): Structural Modification Assessments
摘要
Lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment is crucial to overcoming its recalcitrance to enzymatic hydrolysis. This study investigated the influence of acid-catalyzed IVDV (Intensification of Vaporization by Decompression to the Vacuum) pretreatment on industrial hemp hurds (IHH) and its impact on enzymatic saccharification. IVDV conditions were optimized using a central composite design (CCD), varying sulfuric acid concentration (0.3–1.7% w/w), processing pressure (0.36–1.04 MPa), and processing time (8–24 min). Pretreatment efficiency was assessed through lignin removal (LR) and microstructural changes (ABET analysis, SEM, FTIR), with overall reducing sugar yield (ORS) determining enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency. FTIR analysis showed that lignin and Hemicellulose linkages were altered, while cellulose linkages remained unaffected even at 1.04 MPa or 1.7% acid. A maximal ABET of 1.78 m2/g and LR of 79.6% were achieved at 1.04 MPa and 1.7% H₂SO₄, respectively, for 16 min. However, these maximums did not coincide with the maximum ORS of 92.8%, which was obtained at an IVDV pressure of 0.90 MPa, time of 11.2 min, and acid concentration of 0.6%, suggesting that sugar degradation occurred at high treatment severities.