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ARS Home » Plains Area » Sidney, Montana » Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory » Agricultural Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #400327
Research Project: Ecologically-Sound Pest, Water and Soil Management Practices for Northern Great Plains Cropping Systems

Location: Agricultural Systems Research

Title: Composition analysis of canola and intermediate wheatgrass biomass and the effects of extraction

Author
item JOHNSRUDE, LAUREN - Montana State University
item SCHEFFEL, AIDEN - Montana State University
item Allen, Brett
item WETTSTEIN, STEPHANE - Montana State University

Submitted to: BioResources
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/19/2022
Publication Date: 1/12/2023
Citation: Johnsrude, L.M., Scheffel, A.J., Allen, B.L., Wettstein, S.G. 2023. Composition analysis of canola and intermediate wheatgrass biomass and the effects of extraction. BioResources. 18(1):1653-1663. https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.18.1.1653-1663.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.18.1.1653-1663

Interpretive Summary: Understanding the chemical composition of biomass feedstocks is critical for determining accurate extraction yields. Extracting intermediate wheatgrass biomass with water and ethanol prior to composition analysis had a significant effect on lignin and glucose values. If the amount of lignin is desired, it is suggested to perform, at minimum, an ethanol pretreatment extraction prior to compositional analysis. If the percent glucose is desired, it is suggested to perform composition analysis directly without the need for pretreatment extraction.

Technical Abstract: Knowing the composition of biomass is critical for determining accurate yields of renewable chemicals and fuels; however, nonstructural components can affect the results of standard composition procedures leading to inaccurate reactant amounts. To remove these nonstructural components, water and/or ethanol extractions can be done, but the impact on composition values has not been well-reported. For this study, compositional analysis was performed on as-received canola (Brassica napus) and intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) as well as ethanol, water, and water/ethanol extracted biomasses. Water/ethanol extraction of the intermediate wheatgrass resulted in significantly lower xylose and both acid soluble and insoluble lignin amounts when compared to the as-received analysis. Since sugar was removed during the extractions, it is recommended to use the as-received composition values for glucuronoarabinoxylans; however, the extractives may interfere with the lignin analysis and therefore, the extracted lignin values are likely more reflective of the composition.