Hydrolysis Pretreatment of Tetraselmis chuii into Glucose by Using Diluted Sulfiric Acid

Abstract

Microalga has emerged as third generation in fuel based biomass which converted into several products and its content can be also utilized as model compound. Microalga comprises cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. These cellulose and hemicellulose can be converted into glucose, as model compound for fuel and chemical production. This study focused on Tetraselmis chuii as feedstock and the hydrolysis pretreatment into glucose conversion by employing diluted sulfuric solution in varied temperature and concentrations. Tetraselmis chuii was used as microalga feedstock since they are distributed in Indonesia’s ocean. In order to obtain fuel or chemical product, microalga need to be pretreated first. This process was conducted with focused on breakdown the linkage between cellulose, hemicellulose or lignin. Glucose was generated from this hydrolysis process. Thus, it would apply as feedstock for bioethanol or furan production which utilized as intermediate compound/building block compound. This study aimed into the significant parameters for Tetraselmiss chuii hydrolysis and their biochemical composition. Experimental result was assayed in quantitative method by using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). It was found out that Tetraselmiss chuii contain alpha cellulose and hemicelluloses without lignin present. Moreover, temperature has significant influenced for hydrolysis process than sulfuric acid concentration. The highest glucose temperature was 61 g/L which obtained at 100oC by using 1.25%(v/v) diluted sulfuric acid concentration.