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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

Moderator portrait

Gabriela RODRÍGUEZ-CARBALLO

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

Presenter's biography

I am a second-year PhD student of Nuevos materiales inorgánicos group in the Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Crystallography and Mineralogy of the University of Málaga. My thesis topic is the valorization of brown and green macroalgae for the production of platform molecules.

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