Isolation method for water insoluble components of a biomass and products provided therefrom

Abstract

The process includes pretreating the biomass with a first basic solution such as sodium hydroxide and mechanically altering the fibers to provide a fluidized biomass. The fluidized biomass is then subjected to high frequency pulses and shear forces without denaturing the individual components of the biomass. The biomass is then subjected to compressive force to separate a first liquid fraction from a first fractionated biomass. The first fractionated biomass may again then be subjected to the same high frequency pulses and shear forces as previously, particularly if there are hemicellulose and/or sugars still present in the first fractionated biomass. Compressive forces are used to separate a second liquid fraction from a second fractionated biomass. The second fractionated biomass is subjected to oxidation such as with hydrogen peroxide at a pH of 8 to 12. The second fractioned biomass is then subjected to compressive forces to separate one or more water insoluble components of the biomass in water soluble form.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for providing water insoluble components of a biomass in water soluble form and a biomass substantially devoid of hemicellulose, sugar and the water insoluble components, the process comprising:
 a) pretreating the biomass with a first basic solution;   b) subjecting the pretreated biomass to high frequency pulses and shear forces without denaturing the individual components of the biomass;   c) subjecting the biomass to compressive force to separate a first liquid fraction from a first fractionated biomass;   d) subjecting the first fractionated biomass to the same high frequency pulses and shear forces of step b);   e) subjecting the first fractionated biomass to compressive forces to separate a second liquid fraction from a second fractionated biomass wherein the second fractionated biomass is substantially devoid of hemicelluloses and sugars;   f) subjecting the second fractionated biomass substantially devoid of hemicelluloses and sugars to oxidation at a pH above 7; and   g) subjecting the second fractionated biomass to compressive force to separate one or more water insoluble components of the biomass in water soluble form from a second fractionated biomass substantially devoid of hemicellulose, sugar and the water insoluble components of the biomass.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising after step e) contacting the second fractionated biomass substantially devoid of hemicelluloses and sugars with a second basic solution and subjecting the second fractionated biomass to compressive force to separate at least one first water insoluble component of a biomass in water soluble form from the second fractionated biomass substantially devoid of hemicelluloses and sugars. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second basic solutions comprise sodium hydroxide. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the steps are conducted at ambient temperature to about 60° C. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1  wherein step f) of subjecting the second fractionated biomass substantially devoid of hemicelluloses and sugars to oxidation included contacting the second fractionated biomass substantially devoid of hemicelluloses and sugars with a hydrogen peroxide solution. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the water insoluble component of a biomass in water soluble form is purified by contacting with a membrane. 
     
     
         7 . A water insoluble component of a biomass in water soluble form provided by the method  claim 1 . 
     
     
         8 . A process for providing water insoluble components of a biomass in water soluble form and a biomass substantially devoid of hemicellulose, sugar and the water insoluble components, the process comprising:
 a) pretreating the biomass with a first basic solution;   b) subjecting the pretreated biomass to high frequency pulses and shear forces without denaturing the individual components of the biomass;   c) subjecting the biomass to compressive force to separate a first liquid fraction from a first fractionated biomass;   d) monitoring the amount of hemicellulose in the first fractionated biomass to determine if first fractionated biomass substantially devoid of hemicellulose and sugar,   e) subjecting the first fractionated biomass, if not devoid of hemicellulose and sugar to the same high frequency pulses and shear forces of step b);   f) subjecting the first fractionated biomass to compressive forces to separate a second liquid fraction from a second fractionated biomass wherein the second fractionated biomass is substantially devoid of hemicelluloses and sugars;   g) subjecting the second fractionated biomass substantially devoid of hemicellulose and sugars to oxidation at a pH above 7.   h) subjecting the second fractionated biomass to compressive force to separate one or more water insoluble components of the biomass in water soluble form from a second fractionated biomass substantially devoid of hemicellulose, sugar and the water insoluble components of the biomass.   
     
     
         9 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, and glycol. 
     
     
         10 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the solvent is any one selected from a group consisting of a short chain alcohol, glycerin and water, or a co-solvent mixture of any combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A water insoluble component of a biomass in water soluble form selected from the group consisting of lignins, proteins and extractives, wherein the water soluble form selected from the group consisting of lignins, proteins and extractives is soluble in water at about a pH of 5 to 12 at ambient temperature.