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EUBCE 2024 - Gabriela RODRÍGUEZ-CARBALLO - Enhancing the Efficiency and Selectivity of Furan-Derived Platform Molecules Independent Production from the Macroalgae Ulva Rigida Using Heterogeneous Catalysts and Mechanochemistry

Enhancing the Efficiency and Selectivity of Furan-Derived Platform Molecules Independent Production from the Macroalgae Ulva Rigida Using Heterogeneous Catalysts and Mechanochemistry

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Processes for bio-based chemicals and materials

Biochemical platform for biorefinery

Enhancing the Efficiency and Selectivity of Furan-Derived Platform Molecules Independent Production from the Macroalgae Ulva Rigida Using Heterogeneous Catalysts and Mechanochemistry

Short Introductive summary

This work focuses on the valorization of the carbohydrates from Ulva rigida, a green macroalgae responsible for green tides in water bodies affected by eutrophication. Macroalgae biomass is rich in carbohydrates, specifically, its cell wall is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and Ulvan, a sulphated polysaccharide present in Ulva genus. These polysaccharides can be hydrolyzed into pentoses or hexoses that in the proper conditions can dehydrate into furfural or 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), two platform molecules of high added value. The procedure developed involve the use of a mechanochemical reactor that assists the hydrolysis by reducing the particle size and breaking the cell walls of the biomass, thus allowing a better access to the polysaccharides that then undergo an autohydrolysis process. The resultant hydrolysate, rich in short-chain carbohydrates, in the presence of a solid acid catalyst can experience a dehydration to furfural or HMF. Modifying the reaction conditions, the selectivity and efficiency towards each molecule can be precisely controlled.

Presenter

Gabriela RODRÍGUEZ-CARBALLO

Universidad de Málaga, Inorganic Chemistry, Crystallography and Mineralogy Dpt.

Biographies and Short introductive summaries are supplied directly by presenters and are published here unedited


Co-authors:

G. Rodríguez-Carballo, Universidad de Málaga, SPAIN
C. García-Sancho, Universidad de Málaga, Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Cristalografía y Mineralogía, Facult, SPAIN
N. Korbee, Universidad de Málaga, Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología y Desarrollo Azul (IBYDA), Departa, SPAIN
F.L. Figureroa, Universidad de Málaga, Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología y Desarrollo Azul (IBYDA), Departa, SPAIN
R. Moreno-Tost, Universidad de Málaga, Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Cristalografía y Mineralogía, Facult, SPAIN
J. Mérida-Robles, Universidad de Málaga, Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Cristalografía y Mineralogía, Facult, SPAIN
P. Maireles-Torres, Universidad de Málaga, SPAIN

Session reference: 6AO.6.1