Acetosolv delignification of marabou (Dichrostachys cinerea) wood with and without acid prehydrolysi

The chemical composition of marabou (Dichrostachys cinerea) wood and its treatment with acetic acid were investigated.Two different treatment approaches, direct acetosolv and combined acid prehydrolysis/acetosolv, were evaluated. The effects of acetic acid concentration (50%, 70% and 90%) and temperature (normal boiling temperature and 121℃) on yield of solids, solubilization of lignin and hemicelluloses and recovery of cellulose were evaluated for both treatments. High solubilization of marabou components was observed in the direct acetosolv treatment at 121℃, especially at the highest acetic acid concentration, where around 84.8% of lignin and 78% of hemicelluloses were removed. When the material was subjected to acid prehydrolysis prior to acetosolv treatment,iignin solubilization was improved, especially at low acetic acid concentrations. Above 80% of the solubilized lignin was recovered from the liquors in the direct acetosolv treatment, but the recovery was lower in the combined treatment. Cellulose was well preserved in all the treatment schemes.