Chemical and structural characterization of xylan from eucalyptus, sugarcane bagasse, and sugarcane straw

Sugarcane is one of Brazil’s main agricultural crops and, after harvesting, generates large amounts of bagasse and straw as residues. These lignocellulosic residues show great potential for biomaterials production. Eucalyptus is the most cultivated wood specie in Brazil and, due to its fast growth and good adaptability to the Brazilian climate, is another possible feedstock for biomaterials production.

Bagasse and straw represent a considerable source of xylan. Studies that provide information about the chemical structure of xylans in these biomasses contribute to the basic knowledge about hemicelluloses in non-wood biomass as well as their behavior in the chemical processing of non-wood raw materials, and open new possibilities for biomaterial applications.

My licentiate project in KTH is part of my PhD thesis from Brazil in which I have studied eucalyptus, bagasse, and straw for 2nd generation ethanol production. In KTH, my licentiate project is focused on promote a deeper understanding about the xylan present in the abovementioned biomasses that, especially in bagasse and straw, occurred in high amount. The main goal of this project is to evaluate the chemical and structural properties of acetylated xylan isolated from sugarcane bagasse, straw, and eucalyptus (as a comparative study). Isolation methods for xylan were performed and the xylan obtained was analyzed by specialized methodologies.

PhD student: Danila Morais de Carvalho