Title:
Birch Outer Bark Characterisation After Extraction and its Potential for Obtaining Suberin Fatty Acids
Author(s):
Makars, R., Rizikovs, J., Paze, A., Godina, D., Berzins, R.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
Birch outer bark (BOB) accumulates as a by-product in the birch (Betula spp.) tree processing. BOB is a complex raw material – it contains extractives, suberin, and ligno-carbohydrate complex. Extractives contain triterpenes (betulin, lupeol, betulinic acid), which were isolated to obtain colloidal betulin for hydrogel, oleogel and emulsions. The extraction by-product – solid residue – can be used as a raw material to extract suberin fatty acids (SFAs) from birch outer bark through the depolymerisation of suberin. SFAs are predominantly C18 a,.-bifunctional fatty acids with various mid-chain modifications. These components with impurities from birch inner bark can affect the suberin conversion efficiency and quality of the obtained SFAs. In this study, we investigated the possibilities to improve the raw material (extracted BOB) for more efficient suberin conversion to SFAs. Based on the results of the higher heating value and TGA analysis 1–1.4 mm and 1.4–2 mm BOB fractions were selected as the most suitable for potentially improving conversion efficiency and product quality. The results indicated that there was no significant improvement in terms of yield after reduction of particle size of extracted BOB. However, the SFA quality was improved after the particle size reduction in terms of total suberin content (less impurities).
Keywords:
biorefining, biobased products, extraction, fatty acids, birch outer bark, depolymerisation
Topic:
Biomass Conversion to Bio-Based Products and Chemicals
Subtopic:
Biorefinery platforms for bio-based chemicals and polymers
Event:
31st European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
6CV.7.14
Pages:
1113 - 1116
ISBN:
978-88-89407-23-3
Paper DOI:
10.5071/31stEUBCE2023-6CV.7.14
Price:
FREE
