Co-catalysis of magnesium chloride and ferrous chloride for xylo-oligosaccharides and glucose production from sugarcane bagasse

Inorganic salt treatment is a novel, high-yield, and environmentally friendly approach for the production of xylo-oligosaccharides from Sugarcane bagasse with degree of polymerization of 2-5. A xylo-oligosaccharides yield of 53.79% was obtained with 0.1 M MgCl2 treatment at 180 °C/10 min, and 41.89% with 0.1 M FeCl2 treatment at 140 °C/30 min. The xylo-oligosaccharides yield from the co-catalysis of 0.05 M FeCl2 + 0.05 M MgCl2 reached 54.68% (29.34% xylobiose and 20.94% xylotriose) at 140 °C/30 min. The co-catalysis not only effectively improved the xylobiose and xylotriose contents but also increased the total yield of xylo-oligosaccharides under mild reaction conditions. Additionally, the glucose yield observed from the solid residue after inorganic salt treatment was 71.62% by enzymatic hydrolysis. Mg2+ and Fe2+ are essential for good human health without separation from the system, therefore, the inorganic salt treatment can be potentially applied in the co-production of xylo-oligosaccharides and glucose.