Characterizing Quality of Lignocellulosic Feedstocks for Biochemical Conversion.

The primary focus of this research was to develop a system for screening lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks for biochemical conversion to biofuels.  Development of this screening system was completed sequentially: initially, a series of parameters were developed for characterizing the quality of biomass feedstocks for biochemically conversion based on the true digestibility model for ruminant feedstuffs.  These parameters were synthesized into a carbohydrate availability model which partitions the carbohydrate portion of feedstock dry matter (DM) in into three groups based on their availability to undergo biochemical conversion: cell-soluble carbohydrates, C_N, biochemically available carbohydrates, C_B, and unavailable carbohydrates, C_U.  Next, a wet-chemistry assay was developed and refined for quantifying these three quality parameters, as well as lignin concentration.  The wet-chemistry assay was used to analyze a diverse group of biomass feedstocks, including cool-season grasses, warm-season grasses, corn residues, and woody materials.  Finally, it was demonstrated that near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) could be used to rapidly determine quality parameter values.