Alkaline and Oxidative Pretreatments of Lignocellulose

The focus of this work is to investigate novel approaches for delignification and depolymerization of lignocellulose carbohydrates by alkaline oxygen pretreatments which, in contrast to acid pretreatments, specifically target delignification. The use of alkaline-oxidative conditions as a pretreatment presents unique opportunities for co-products and separations as well as challenges from a process integration viewpoint and is an additional feature of this research project.

Fractionation of Lignocellulosic Biomass Utilizing Alkaline Pretreatments

Hemicellulose and lignin biopolymers from alkaline pretreatment liquors have unique properties that allow for separations for the purposes of hydrolyzate detoxification, alkali recovery, or recovery of solubilized biopolymers. This goal of this project is to develop an effective integrated processing strategy involving alkaline lignocellulose fractionation. For this, a number of factors need to be considered in tandem which include understanding how changes in the alkaline pretreatment affect the properties of the biopolymers solubilized, how these properties affect the potential for recovery and separation, how the properties of the recovered component affects its capacity for use as a feedstock in other processes, and how the overall process is positioned in terms of yields, efficiency, and economics.

Reviewed Journal Publications

Andersson, C. A.; Helmerius, J.; Hodge, D. B.; Berglund, K. A.; Rova, U. "Inhibition of Succinic Acid Production in Metabolically Engineered <i>Escherichia coli</i> by Neutralizing Agent, Organic Acids, and Osmolarity," Biotech. Prog. 25(1), 116-123, (2009). <a href="http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121683629/abstract">(Link)</a>

Hodge, D. B.; Karim, M. N.; Schell, D. J.; McMillan, J. D. "Model-Based Fed-Batch for High-Solids Enzymatic Cellulose Hydrolysis," Appl. Biochem. Biotech. 152(1), 88-107, (2009). <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12010-008-8217-0">(Link)</a>

Hodge, D. B.; Andersson C. A.; Berglund, K. A.; Rova, U. "Detoxification Requirements for Bioconversion of Softwood Dilute Acid Hydrolyzates to Succinic Acid," Enz. Microb. Technol. 44, 309-316, (2009). <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enzmictec.2008.11.007 ">Link</a>

Hodge, D. B.; Karim, M. N.; Schell, D. J.; McMillan, J. D. "Soluble and Insoluble Solids Contributions to High-Solids Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Lignocellulose," Biores. Technol. 99(18), 8940-8948, (2008). <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2008.05.015">(Link)</a>

Enman, J.; Hodge, D. B.; Berglund, K. A.; Rova, U. "Production of the Bioactive Compound Eritadenine by Submerged Cultivation of Shiitake (<i>Lentinus edodes</i>) Mycelia," J. Ag. Food Chem. 56(8), 2609-2612, (2008). <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jf800091a">(Link)</a>

Andersson, C. A.; Hodge, D. B.; Berglund, K. A.; Rova, U. "Effect of Different Carbon Sources on the Production of Succinic Acid Using Metabolically Engineered <i>Escherichia coli</i>," Biotech. Prog. 23(2), 381-388, (2007). <a href="http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121399061/abstract">(Link)</a>

Karim, N. M.; Hodge, D. B.; Simon, L. "Data-Based Modeling and Analysis of Bioprocesses: Some Real Experiences," Biotech. Prog. 19(5), 1591-1605, (2003). <a href="http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121400476/abstract">(Link)</a>

Hodge, D. B.; Karim, M. N. "Modeling and Advanced Control of Recombinant <i>Zymomonas mobilis</i> Fed-Batch Fermentation," Biotech. Prog. 18(3), 572-579, (2002). <a href="http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121399751/abstract">(Link)</a>

Books, Chapters, Monographs

Berglund, K. A.; Rova, U.; Hodge, D. B. "Microbial Metabolites as Building Blocks for Renewable Resource Based Surfactants," In <i>Surfactants from Renewable Resources</i>; Kjellin, M. Ed., John Wiley & Sons, (in press 2009).