Mixing Hybrid Poplar and Wheat Straw Feedstock for Efficient Bioconversion Processes

Low cost of raw materials and good process yields are necessary for future lignocellulosic biomass biorefineries. With the seasonal availability of wheat straw and the year round availability of hybrid poplar in the Pacific Northwest, researchers from University of Washington, led by Rodrigo Morales Vera, aims to determine the effect of mixing wheat straw and hybrid poplar as feedstock on the overall sugar production.

After steam pretreatment and saccharification, the mixture showed higher sugar yields than that produced from hybrid poplar or wheat straw alone. Analysis revealed that blending hybrid poplar and wheat straw resulted in more monomeric sugar recovery and less sugar degradation.

This synergistic effect was due to the interaction of hybrid poplar's high acetic acid content and the presence of ash supplied by wheat straw. Combining the two enables sourcing of cheap biomass, reduces seasonal dependency, and results in increasing biofuels and chemicals productivity.