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Yakindra Prasad Timilsena Food Research Officer, Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, Kathmandu Email: [email protected] The overall objective is to explore the potentiality of Typha capensis as feedstock for biorefinery. Specifically- • To determine the EOL yield and Klason lignin content of the pulp after two step pretreatment • To compare the enzymatic hydrolysis yield of sugars • To characterize typha lignin Typha grass is an invasive and obnoxious wetland herbaceous plant with the annual productivity of more than 50 ton dry matter per hectare. It has been used in the treatment of various diseases since ancient times. Compositional analysis demonstrated approximately 80% sugars and very low lignin content (<20%) in dry biomass basis underpinning its potential use as food and for conversion processes. It has also been marked for its good anti microbial properties. Strong capacity of typha for removing contaminants such as heavy metals and inorganic nutrients from waste waters established it as a promising aquatic macrophyte for phytoremediation. 13 C NMR analysis of typha lignin revealed significantly higher S/G ratio (55:15) suggesting its easier delignification and better pulp yield during pretreatment process. Enzymatic hydrolysis, in addition, demonstrated efficient cellulose to glucose conversion alleviating downstream processing to food, chemical or fuel. In addition to its plenteous availability, high biomass productivity, easier delignification and enzymatic hydrolysability Typha deserves a promising biomass feedstock for tropical food, environment, medicine or biorefining sector. Abstract Objective Methodology Conclusion Results and discussion Layout of 2-step pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis • One step pretreatment process is sufficient • Easier delignification and better enzymatic digestibility • NMR shows higher S/G ratio (3.7) • FTIR shows its similarity with other herbaceous lignin • SEC analysis of lignin revealed its high molecular weight and polydispersity index. Enzymatic hydrolysability of typha Carbon NMR of typha lignin (CEL) • High productivity (>50 ton dm/ha/year • Simple and low severity pretreatment is sufficient • Good enzymatic hydrolysability • High S/G ratio and easier delignification Gel permeation Chromatographic characterization of typha lignin Typha for biorefinery Almost 50% of the plant is comprised of a underground rhizome system which possess 40% starch and sugar (Andrew and Pratt, 1981).
