Using Sago Pith Waste (SPW) for Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) Production: Process and Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA)

Sago pith waste (SPW), a biomass processing waste, still contains starch after the starch extraction process and consequently can add value to the starch industry’s byproducts. In this study, SPW was placed in a biphasic tetrahydrofuran (THF) system. THF was used as the primary solvent during one-pot production for the in situ extraction of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). We aimed to obtain a higher yield of HMF from SPW using a THF–water biphasic system and to compare the life-cycle assessment (LCA) of SPW-based HMF production in the THF–water and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)–water systems. Increased HMF production was seen at 160 ℃ for 45 min with aluminum sulfate as a catalyst and the addition of sodium chloride. We obtained 32.6% HMF from SPW using a THF–water biphasic system. Additionally, approximately 30% of HMF can be found in the crude extraction solutions. We then analyzed the LCA to consider the development of HMF in the industry by comparing the HMF system from our previous research on DMSO–water. The THF–water system had less environmental impact than the DMSO–water system owing to its higher HMF concentration in the crude extract. These findings can further help to develop environmentally friendly HMF production processes.