Evaluation of surfactant addition to enzymatic hydrolysis of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB)

Abstract

Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) is able to be used as the raw material to produce xylitol. Xylitol production from OPFEB has been explored through bioprocess route comprising of pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis and xylitol fermentation. Enzymatic hydrolysis is one of the preferred methods to convert biomass lignocellulose to xylose due to its moderate operation condition. However, its process performance still needs improvements. This study evaluated the effects of surfactant addition to hemicellulose hydrolysis of OPEFB. Enzymatic hydrolysis was carried out by the addition of surfactant i.e. Tween 80 and Tween 20, at various concentrations (0.5, 2.5 and 5\u2005g/L) and at various OPEFB solid loadings. The addition of Tween 80 was shown to accelerate hydrolysis process.Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) is able to be used as the raw material to produce xylitol. Xylitol production from OPFEB has been explored through bioprocess route comprising of pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis and xylitol fermentation. Enzymatic hydrolysis is one of the preferred methods to convert biomass lignocellulose to xylose due to its moderate operation condition. However, its process performance still needs improvements. This study evaluated the effects of surfactant addition to hemicellulose hydrolysis of OPEFB. Enzymatic hydrolysis was carried out by the addition of surfactant i.e. Tween 80 and Tween 20, at various concentrations (0.5, 2.5 and 5\u2005g/L) and at various OPEFB solid loadings. The addition of Tween 80 was shown to accelerate hydrolysis process.