Microsphere valorization of forestry derived hydrolysates

A value-adding approach to the material utilization of non-cellulosic polysaccharides (NCPs) released from the lignocellulosic feedstock was realized via the formulation of renewable microspheres from wood hydrolysates using a purposely elaborated all edible water-in-oil emulsion technique. Four compositionally different hemicellulose rich wood hydrolysates were recovered from process waters in pulping and other hydrothermal treatments of hardwood and softwood. Multivariate screening designs were employed allowing for the identification and quantitation of significant process parameters and interaction effects governing the conversion of hydrolysates into small, smooth and well-defined microspheres with narrow size dispersity.