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P1.13 – Selective Oxidation of Hemicellulose: Enhancing Recovery from Birch and Spruce Biomass Using Sodium Periodate

Lucas Kurth de Azambuja

Chalmers

Co-author(s):
Lucas Kurth de Azambuja, Chalmers
Merima Hasani, Chalmers

As the world transitions away from fossil-based resources, lignocellulosic biomass has gained attention for its availability, versatility, and renewability. Despite its potential applications in bioplastics, pharmaceuticals, and biodegradable surfactants, hemicellulose remains underutilized due to its complex heteropolysaccharide structure, diverse sugar composition, and the challenges associated with energy-efficient and selective recovery. To address this issue, oxidation-based methods have emerged as a promising strategy for hemicellulose recovery.Oxidation methods are well known for their ability to selectively cleave vicinal diols, facilitating hemicellulose modification and functionalization. Among various oxidative agents, sodium periodate (NaIO₄) is particularly effective, as it selectively breaks C2–C3 bonds, converting hydroxyl groups into aldehydes or ketones.Previous research indicates that oxidation-induced structural modifications in hemicellulose increase its flexibility, which may improve solubility and enhance extraction into high-value chemicals. However, the efficiency and selectivity of NaIO₄ oxidation across different biomass types, particularly for hemicellulose recovery, remain underexplored.This study investigates the NaIO₄ oxidation of birch and spruce biomass—representative hardwood and softwood species in Sweden—to enhance hemicellulose recovery. Structural modifications and oxidation efficiency were analyzed using High-Performance Anion-Exchange Chromatography with Pulsed Amperometric Detection (HPAE-PAD), Size-Exclusion Chromatography (SEC), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and titration.Results indicate that oxidation at room temperature enables carbohydrate extraction while introducing aldehyde modifications. However, species-dependent differences in cell wall morphology, lignin content, and polysaccharide composition influence the carbohydrate selectivity and yield. These findings suggest that tailoring oxidation conditions to biomass-specific characteristics can enable hemicellulose recovery. This research contributes to advancing hemicellulose valorization, supporting the development of applications for biorefinery products.

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Session: 

  • 1. Biorefinery

Time: 

  • 15:50-17:00

WWSC is a joint research center between KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology and Linköping University. The base is a donation from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. The Swedish industry is supporting WWSC via the platform Treesearch.

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