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Title: A Paradigm for Biomass Conversion

Author
item Akin, Danny

Submitted to: United States Japan Natural Resources Protein Panel
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/15/2007
Publication Date: 10/15/2007
Citation: Akin, D.E. 2007. A paradigm for biomass conversion. United States Japan Natural Resources Protein Panel.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The questions 1) what is it, 2) how is it converted, 3) how is it analyzed and measured have been applied to improved forages, proposed new strategies for grass as a biofuel, and the processing and quality of natural fibers and co-products. For forages, improvements have been made in particular cell types resulting in significantly improved bioconversion. For biofuels, the high concentration of ester-linked phenolic acids in grass lignocellulose may allow enzymatic pretreatments to increase available sugars for fermentation and ferulic acid for co-products. For natural fiber, use of enzymes for retting flax can tailor fiber properties for various uses. During processing for fiber, various flax waste fractions are collected that contain specific constituents of commercial interest. Fibers with consistent, defined fiber properties as well as constituents from waste fractions may provide additional products from those of the current linseed/fiber industry. During all applications mentioned above, continued assessment can integrate and optimize the steps all along the processing line