EFFECT OF STEAM EXPLOSION TREATMENT ON THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND ENZYMATIC-HYDROLYSIS OF POPLAR CELL-WALL COMPONENTS

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of steam explosion pretreatment on pore size distribution and enzymic hydrolysis of poplar wood chips under various conditions (duration and temperature of treatment, pH impregnation). The measurements showed an increase in the available surface area with the severity of treatment and a good correlation with the initial rate of enzymic hydrolysis. This increase in enzymic hydrolysis can be explained by the removal of the hemicelluloses, but also by the melting and agglomeration of the depolymerized ligin, as shown on electron micrographs of ultrathin cross-sections.