[en] An adsorption resin CX-6 was synthesized and used for acid soluble lignin (ASL) removal from sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate (SCBH). The adsorption conditions of pH value, amount of adsorbent, initial ASL concentration, and temperature on ASL adsorption were discussed. The results showed the adsorption capacity of ASL was negatively affected by increasing temperature, solution pH, and adsorbent dose, and was positively affected by increasing initial concentration. The maximum adsorption capacity of ASL was 135.3 mg/g at initial ASL concentration 6.46 g/L, adsorption temperature 298 K, and pH 1. Thermodynamic study demonstrated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic. Equilibrium and kinetics experiments were proved to fit the Freundlich isotherm model and pseudo-second-order model well, respectively. Fermentation experiment showed that the SCBH after combined overliming with resin adsorption as fermentation substrate for microbial lipid production by Trichosporon cutaneum and Trichosporon coremiiforme was as better as that of SCBH by combined overliming with active charcoal adsorption, and more efficient than that of SCBH only by overliming. Moreover, the regeneration experiment indicated that the CX-6 resin is easy to regenerate and its recirculated performance is stable. In conclusion, our results provide a promising adsorbent to detoxify lignocellulose hydrolysate for further fermentation.

[en] Highlights: • Novel networked submicrogels were synthesized. • The elution of the networked submicrogels was restricted. • The networked-submicrogels could enrich onto the membrane surface effectively. • The modified membranes showed antifouling and haemocompatible property. • The modified membranes exhibited antibacterial property. -- Abstract: Intensive efforts have been employed in modifying biomedical membranes. Among them, blending is recognized as a simple method. However, the conventional blending materials commonly lead to an insufficient modification, which is mainly caused by the poor miscibility between the blending materials and the matrixes, the elution of the hydrophilic materials from the matrixes during the use and storage, and the insufficient surface enrichment of the blending materials. Aiming to solve the abovementioned disadvantages, we developed novel polyethersulfone/poly(acrylic acid-co-N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) networked submicrogels (PES/P(AA-VP) NSs), which were blended with PES to enhance the antifouling properties, antibacterial adhesion and haemocompatible properties of PES membranes. As results, the PES/P(AA-VP) NSs showed good miscibility with the PES matrix, and hydrophilic submicrogels would enrich onto the membrane surface during the phase inversion process due to the surface segregation. The entanglement between the PES matrix and the networked submicrogels would effectively limit the elution of the submicrogels. In conclusion, the modified PES membranes prepared by blending with the PES/P(AA-VP) NSs might draw great attention for the application in haemodialysis fields.

[en] Highlights: • Wheat straw was pretreated by hydrotrope under different conditions. • Hydrotrope pretreatment could remove lignin from wheat straw effectively. • Hemicellulose can be removed by modified hydrotrope pretreatment. • Modified hydrotrope pretreatment enhanced polysaccharides digestibility. • Hydrotrope pretreatment provides potential for butanol production from wheat straw. -- Abstract: Pretreatment is an important upstream process that affects the economics of biofuels production from lignocellulose. Hydrotropic reagent sodium xylene sulfonate (SXS) was used in this study to treat wheat straw for efficient butanol production. Effects of temperature, time, SXS concentration on pretreatment were evaluated. In addition, a modified SXS pretreatment method with pH adjusted to 3.5 by formic acid was also conducted for efficient wheat straw conversion by removing hemicellulose fraction. Composition analysis, structure characterization, enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation tests were conducted. The results showed that modified SXS pretreatment can be considered as an efficient method for improving wheat straw conversion efficiency for ABE production. The hexoses and pentoses in the enzymatic hydrolysates can be used by C. acetobutylicum for butanol production with 12.41 g L⁻¹ ABE produced, and the overall ABE yield of 100 g ABE/kg wheat straw was obtained. This study revealed that hydrotropic pretreatment provides an alternative potential to the conventional pretreatment processes for butanol production.