Noé Navarro-Guajardo¹, Edgar Miguel García-Carrillo², Carlos Espinoza-González^2,*, Rubén Téllez-Zablah¹, Fátima Dávila-Hernández², Jorge Romero-García², Antonio Ledezma-Pérez²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 226-236, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634164

Abstract Efforts to improve crop yields with efficient use of fertilizers are needed to guarantee global food security. Enhanced slow-release fertilizer systems (SRFs) encapsulated in biodegradable matrices are being developed to address this global concern. From a wide range of strategies for SRFs development, we explored a nature-inspired solution based on the plant cuticle model and its function as a membrane for water and nutrient transport control. Here, Candelilla wax, extracted from Candelilla wild plants (Euphorbia antisyphilitica), is studied as a renewable slow-release matrix for fertilizers encapsulated by a modified spray chilling process. From this process, microencapsulates containing 40 wt% of… More >

Lars Helmlinger¹, Yejun Zhu¹, Julia Gensel¹, Thomas Neumeyer¹, Stefan Thäter², Franziska Strube², Christoph Bauer², Bernd Rosemann², Volker Altstädt^1*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 219-225, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634161

Abstract Due to a lack of technology, smaller breweries simply dump excess CO2 into the atmosphere, fueling the greenhouse effect and global warming. State-of-the-art CO2 capture technologies using nanofibrillated cellulose are expensive and require laborious freeze-drying. Consequently, there is a high demand for affordable alternatives in order to reduce the environmental impact in this industry sector. This work describes a novel route for a quick and cost-efficient synthesis of amine-functionalized cellulose pellets by a surfactant-assisted steam explosion process. Typical values with this method were porosity of 92% and density of 67 g/cm³. Investigations on polyethylenimine (PEI) content and distribution revealed a… More >

Cristiane S. Farinas*, José Manoel Marconcini, Luiz Henrique C. Mattoso

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.2, pp. 203-216, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.6341578

Abstract The conversion of sugarcane lignocellulosic biomass into fuels, chemicals and high-value materials using the biochemical pathway is considered the most sustainable alternative for the implementation of future biorefineries. Actually, the first large-scale cellulosic ethanol plants that have started operating worldwide apply the enzymatic hydrolysis process to convert biomass into simple sugars that are fermented to ethanol by yeasts. However, several technological challenges still need to be addressed in order to obtain commercially competitive products. This review describes current challenges and perspectives regarding the enzymatic hydrolysis step for processing sugarcane lignocellulosic biomass within the biorefinery. Recent developments in terms of process… More >

Rafael Grande^1*, Eliane Trovatti², Maria Tereza B. Pimenta³, Antonio J. F. Carvalho¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.2, pp. 195-202, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2018.634109

Abstract Research involving the preparation of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) from sugarcane bagasse is a relevant topic to the production of new nanomaterials and more accessible cellulose substrates for the production of second generation ethanol. Regarding the transformation of cellulose into glucose, the precursor of second generation ethanol, this nanosized cellulosic substrate represents a more appropriate material for the chemical hydrolysis process. The high aspect ratio of MFC improves hydrolysis, requiring mild conditions and decreasing the generation of by-products. Here, MFC was prepared from sugarcane bagasse by ultrasound defibrillation. This material was oxidized with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO) to produce negatively charged high defibrillated… More >

Reynaldo Palacios-Bereche¹, Adriano Ensinas², Marcelo Modesto¹, Silvia Nebra^1,3,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.2, pp. 183-194, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634175

Abstract The aim of this study is to assess the possibility of increasing ethanol production by introducing the bagasse hydrolysis process into conventional distilleries. Simulations were performed for mass and energy balances using Aspen Plus® software. It was assumed that sugarcane trash and lignin cake—hydrolysis process residues—are available as supplementary fuel. Several cases were evaluated, including: (a) conventional ethanol distillery, (b) conventional plant combined with a hydrolysis process without heat integration, with different solid contents in the hydrolysis reactor, and (c) conventional plant combined with the hydrolysis process applying heat integration by pinch analysis. The highest ethanol yield was achieved in… More >

Bruno Henrique dos Santos, Karen de Souza do Prado, Asaph Armando Jacinto, Márcia Aparecida da Silva Spinacé*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.2, pp. 176-182, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2018.634101

Abstract Although thermoplastic starch (TPS) is biodegradable, its low mechanical resistance limits its wide application. Sugarcane bagasse (SB) fibers can be used as reinforcement in TPS matrix composites, but the influence of fiber size on the properties of the composite is still unknown. In this study, TPS composites reinforced with SB short fibers of four sizes were processed and characterized in order to analyze the influence of fiber size on the mechanical properties of the TPS/SB composite. It was observed that the interaction between fiber and matrix was good and optimized when the fibers are sifted in sieves between 30 and… More >

Kênia F. R. Lamounier¹, Patrisia O. Rodrigues¹, Daniel Pasquini^2*, Milla A. Baffi¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.2, pp. 169-175, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634151

Abstract This study investigates the efficiency of a crude enzymatic extract produced by Aspergillus fumigatus SCBM6 by solid state fermentation (SSF) in the hydrolysis of alkali pretreated sugarcane bagasse (PTB). After SSF using in natura sugarcane bagasse (SCB), the enzymatic extract presented 21.33 U.g–1 of β-glucosidase and 544.46 U.g–1of xylanase. The alkaline pretreatment with sodium hydroxide (2% NaOH (w/v) removed 43% of the lignin from PTB and the cellulosic fraction increased to 75%. The hydrolysis was optimized as a function of time, temperature, and concentration of PTB. After hydrolysis, the maximum yield (30.05%) of total released reducing sugars (TRS) was obtained… More >

Lísias Pereira Novo^1,2*, Julien Bras^3,4, Mohamed Naceur Belgacem^3,4, Antonio Aprigio da Silva Curvelo²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.2, pp. 160-168, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634165

Abstract Two distinct lignocellulosic fractions (rind and core) can be obtained through a physical separation of sugarcane stalks. Although presenting differences in morphology, both fractions can be employed to produce pulps and papers. The pulps and paper sheets produced from the core and rind fractions were characterized by their chemical composition, physical properties and mechanical properties. The pulps obtained from the core presented a higher amount of fines, lower drainage ability and rendered denser and stiffer sheets. The pulps from the rind, which have a higher content of fibers and higher degree of polymerization, produced sheets with higher air permeability and… More >

Marcelo M. Oliveira^1,2, Antônio A. S. Curvelo^2,3, Carlos Driemeier^1*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.2, pp. 152-159, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.6341576

Abstract Lignocellulose conversion into cellulosic ethanol and coproducts starts with a pretreatment step. Most current industrial plants of cellulosic ethanol use thermochemical pretreatments under hydrothermal conditions, with or without addition of acid catalyst. Such pretreatments modify biomass chemistry and morphology, particularly at the nanoscale. In this work, we use X-ray diffraction, dynamic vapor sorption and calorimetric thermoporometry to investigate the biomass nanostructural changes promoted by hydrothermal conditions. We compare and differentiate the rind and pith fractions of sugarcane stalks in order to contribute to the understanding of rind-pith contrasting recalcitrance. Moreover, for both cane fractions our results point consistently to cellulose… More >

Nicolás M. Clauser^1*, Soledad Gutiérrez², María C. Area¹, Fernando E. Felissia¹, María E. Vallejos¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.2, pp. 139-151, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634145

Abstract Small-scale biorefinery from sugarcane bagasse offers new possibilities to the sugar and ethanol industries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a small-scale biorefinery for the production of xylitol from sugarcane bagasse. The liquid fraction from the autohydrolysis treatment was selected as the source of sugars for xylitol and two scenarios were analyzed for the residual solid: ethanol or pellet production. A technical-economic analysis of alternatives was applied. The internal rate of return (IRR) was used to compare the selected proposals. The highest IRR values were obtained when processing 70,000 dry tons per year of bagasse.… More >