Recent advances in the application of inorganic salt pretreatment for transforming lignocellulosic biomass into reducing sugars

Yu Loong Loow, Ta Yeong Wu, Khang Aik Tan, Yung Shen Lim, Lee Fong Siow, Jamaliah Md Jahim, Abdul Wahab Mohammad, Wen Hui Teoh

Research output: Contribution to journalShort ReviewOtherpeer-review

192 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Currently, the transformation of lignocellulosic biomass into value-added products such as reducing sugars is garnering attention worldwide. However, efficient hydrolysis is usually hindered by the recalcitrant structure of the biomass. Many pretreatment technologies have been developed to overcome the recalcitrance of lignocellulose such that the components can be reutilized more effectively to enhance sugar recovery. Among all of the utilized pretreatment methods, inorganic salt pretreatment represents a more novel method and offers comparable sugar recovery with the potential for reducing costs. The use of inorganic salt also shows improved performance when it is integrated with other pretreatment technologies. Hence, this paper is aimed to provide a detailed overview of the current situation for lignocellulosic biomass and its physicochemical characteristics. Furthermore, this review discusses some recent studies using inorganic salt for pretreating biomass and the mechanisms involved during the process. Finally, some prospects and challenges using inorganic salt are highlighted.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8349-8363
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Volume63
Issue number38
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

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