Hydrothermal Pretreatment of Corn Stover for Polysaccharide Fermentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for utilizing corn stover are inefficient, leading to environmental pollution and resource waste, with limited effective utilization of corn stover and no reported production of crude polysaccharides through solid state fermentation with corn stover and fungus like Cordyceps militaris or Phellinus igniarius.
Innovation Solution
A method involving hydrothermal pretreatment of corn stover followed by synergistic fermentation with Cordyceps militaris or Phellinus igniarius fungus to produce crude polysaccharides, utilizing corn stover and bean curd residue, which includes drying, pulverizing, hydrothermal treatment, mixing with fungus inoculum, and solid state fermentation to achieve efficient polysaccharide production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If corn stover is burned for energy or discarded, then energy needs are met or disposal is simple, but environmental pollution occurs and resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hydrothermal pretreatment by changing temperature and pressure parameters (heating to specific temperatures and maintaining for specific times) to degrade lignin and hemicellulose, transforming the physical-chemical state of corn stover to improve polysaccharide accessibility and fermentation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite fermentation system by combining corn stover (lignocellulosic substrate) with bean curd residue (protein-rich supplement) and fungal inoculum, forming a synergistic mixture that enhances both polysaccharide production and nutritional value of the final product
2Quantity of substance
If chemical reagents are used for pretreatment of corn stover, then degradation of lignin and hemicellulose is effective, but chemical pollution and safety issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical reagent-based pretreatment methods with a physical hydrothermal process using only water under controlled temperature and pressure, eliminating chemical pollutants while achieving effective degradation of lignin and hemicellulose through thermal energy alone
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrothermal pretreatment process uses water as both the heating medium and the reacting agent, where water naturally decomposes into H+ and OH- ions under high temperature and pressure to facilitate lignin and hemicellulose degradation without requiring additional chemical additives
3Reliability
If solid state fermentation is used to produce crude polysaccharides, then immune activities and antioxidant properties are enhanced, but fermentation time and process control are extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs hydrothermal pretreatment before fermentation to pre-degrade lignin and hemicellulose, opening up the cellulose structure and making polysaccharides more accessible to fungal enzymes, thereby reducing the subsequent fermentation time required to achieve optimal polysaccharide production
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enhances the utilization of corn stover, reduces environmental pollution, and produces crude polysaccharides with antioxidant properties, offering a green and efficient process for biomass conversion.
Implementation Method 1
A hydrothermal process releases H+ and OH− from water at a high temperature and a high pressure, which can degrade part of the cellulose, the hemicellulose and the lignin in biomass materials
Implementation Method 2
heating to 170-190° C. to allow reaction for 10-30 min
Implementation Method 3
Solid state fermentation with fungus using biomass substrates as carbon source can effectively degrade and utilize nutrients and produce flavonoids, polyphenols and polysaccharides
Data Source
AI summary
The application discloses a method for preparing crude polysaccharides based on synergistic fermentation with corn stover and fungus, including the following steps: step (1): drying corn stover, pulverizing, placing in a hydrothermal reactor, adding deionized water, sealing the hydrothermal reactor, placing in a heating device, reacting, taking out reaction products, centrifuging and drying a solid; step (2): adding the products obtained in step (1) and dried bean curd residue to a container, adding distilled water, mixing uniformly, sterilizing to obtain a mixed material, inoculating a fungus inoculum under aseptic conditions, sealing the container and cultivating in the dark to obtain crude polysaccharides. The disclosure uses corn stover and bean curd residue as raw materials to achieve efficient utilization of discarded biomass, reduce environmental pollution, and improve utilization of corn stover.