The delignification effects of white-rot fungal pretreatment on thermal characteristics of moso bamboo

Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubesescens) is a major bamboo species which is widely used for temporary scaffolding in China. Its fast growing and low ash content make moso bamboo a potential renewable energy resource. In present work, thermal behaviors of moso bamboo and its lignocellulosic fractions were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. Furthermore, to understand whether the delignification effect of white-rot fungi can promote the thermal decomposition of bamboo especially the lignin component, the changes in lignocellulose components as well as thermal behaviors of bamboo and acid detergent lignin were investigated. The results showed that the white-rot fungal pretreatment is advantageous to thermal decomposition of lignin in bamboo. The weight losses of ADL samples became greater and the thermal processes were accelerated after biopretreatment. The total pyrolysis weight loss increased from 57.14% to 65.07% for Echinodontium taxodii 2538 treated bamboo ADL sample. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.