Response surface optimization of oxalic acid pretreatment of yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) for production of glucose and xylose monosaccarides

The primary goal of this study was to determine the optimal condition to obtain fermentable monosaccharides (xylose and glucose) from hydrolysates of yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) by oxalic acid pretreatment as a potential bio-ethanol source. Based on 2(3) factorial design, fifteen operations were performed by varying on acid loading, reaction time and temperature, and the components of the solid and liquid fractions were analyzed. The sugar concentration (g/L) in hydrolysates and xylose solubilization (%) were applied to response surface methodology. The optimal condition for producing sugars was 151 °C, 0.042 g/g (weight of oxalic acid/dry matter), 13 min with predicted yield of 37.4 g/L, and for the xylose solubilization was 158 °C, 0.037 g/g, 13 min yielding 72.0% of the predicted value. Severe conditions generated inhibitors. By measuring the concentrations, the possibility utilizing hydrolysates for fermentation were estimated.