Integrated biorefinery concept for grass silage using a combination of adapted pulping methods for advanced saccharification and extraction of lignin

An integrated refining and pulping process for ensiled biomass from permanent grassland was established on laboratory scale. The liquid phase, containing the majority of water-soluble components, including 24% of the initial dry matter (DM), was first separated by mechanical pressing. The fiber fraction was subjected to high solid load saccharification (25% DM) to enhance the lignin content in the feed for subsequent organosolvation. The saccharification enzymes were pre-selected applying experimental design approaches. Cellulose convertibility was improved by a secondary pressing step during liquefaction. Combined saccharification and organosolvation showed high degree of saccharide solubilization with recovery of 98% of the glucan and 73% of the xylan from the fiber fraction in the hydrolysates, and enabled the recovery of 41% of the grass silage lignin. The effects of the treatment were confirmed by XRD and SEM tracking of cellulose crystallinity and fiber morphology throughout the pulping procedure.