The Cell Wall Structure Affect Cellulosic Ethanol Productivity In Miscanthus

Cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls, and is also major substance of the feedstocks for cellulosic ethanol production. The complexity of plant cell wall structures leads to a high cost of cellulosic ethanol production. This research focused on the analysis of the cell wall structures of Miscanthus straw, and of the effect of 1.00% NaOH and 1.00% H2SO4 pretreatments on the sugar-ethanol conversion rate in order to understanding of the relationships between cell wall structure and lignocellulose conversion. It also provided the theoretical information for cellulosic ethanol fermentation. The main results were described below:1. There is no significant difference P>0.05 in hemicrllulose content of M.sinensis Anderss, M.floridulus, M.sacchariflorus and T. lutarioriparia. The cellulose content of M.sinensis Anderss correspond to M.floridulus P>0.05, and the cellulose content of M.sacchariflorus correspond to T. lutarioriparia P>0.05. The cellulose content of M.sacchariflorus and T. lutarioriparia are more than M.sinensis Anderss and M.floridulus. The lignin content of M.sacchariflorus and T. lutarioriparia are closely, but more than M.sinensis Anderss and M.floriduluss.2. The cellulose and lignin can inhibit cellulosic ethanol fermentation. In particular, the crystal cellulose and acid insoluble lignin are crucial factors affecting sugar conversion.3. The negative effect of lignin derivatives to sugar-ethanol conversion is higher than one of hemicellulose and cellulose derivatives.4. H2SO4 (1.00%) pretreatment of energy plant straw is a desire approach towards a higher cellulosic ethanol production than one with NaOH (1.00%) pretreatment. However, the effect of 1.00% NaOH pretreatment for cellulose enzymolysis is better than one of 1.00% H2SO4 pretreatment.