Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference

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Looking at Alkali Pre-extraction Conditions and its Effect on the Composition of Different Hybrid Poplar Cultivars

Undergraduate #166
Discipline: Chemistry and Chemical Sciences
Subcategory: Environmental Engineering

Shahrazad Polk - Texas Southern University
Co-Author(s): David Hodge and Ryan Stoklosa, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI


Hybrid poplar is composed mainly of lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose, and is a great source for ethanol. One of the main problems is finding an effective way to remove the lignin portion with little mass loss. In this study, the conditions of alkali pre-extractions were tested on different cultivars of hybrid poplar, specifically the temperature and time while in the digester as well as the sodium hydroxide loading. While looking at these variables the composition and mass loss is analyzed and recorded. Before the alkali extractions are performed, the composition of each type of poplar was identified using HPLC and compared to the compositions of the pre-extracted poplar. The hybrid poplar used in this experiment is hybrid aspen (NE222), NM-6, DN-34, NM-2, and NE-19 (GLBRC poplar), all of which is grown in similar areas. The overall goal of this work is (1) to find an effective temperature, time, and NaOH loading for alkali pre-extraction (2) determine the mass loss and sugar yield when using alkali pre-extraction (3) show how different cultivars of hybrid poplar that are grown in the same area results in varying responses to alkaline pre-extraction and enzymatic hydrolysis performance.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): Great Lakes Bio-energy Research Center (GLBRC) / National Science Foundation (NSF)

Faculty Advisor: David Hodge,

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.