Biomass Fractionation Technologies for a Lignocellulosic Feedstock Based Biorefinery

Dr. Solange I. Mussatto is Invited Assistant Professor at the Department of Biotechnology at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in The Netherlands. She has a background in Chemical Industrial Engineer, and MSc and PhD degrees in Industrial Biotechnology (Area: Biomass Conversion) from University of São Paulo (Brazil). Dr. Mussatto has over 17 years of experience in the areas of Biomass Pretreatment and Fermentation Technology with focus on the development of biorefinery strategies for total conversion and valorization of biomass. During her entire research career (started in 1998), she has been actively involved in activities related to the conversion of biomass (lignocellulosic materials, macroalgae and plants) into valuable biobased products. Her research interests include the use of chemical, biochemical, biological and thermal processes for biomass pretreatment, and conversion of such materials by chemical or fermentation routes into valuable compounds such as ethanol, xylitol, organic acids, fructooligosaccharides, bioactive compounds, alcoholic beverages, and enzymes, among others. Due to the wide experience on biomass and biorefinery areas, Dr. Mussatto is frequently invited for oral presentations in scientific conferences, and has already established a great network with researchers from different countries including Europe, South America and Asia. One of the studies coordinated by Dr. Mussatto was recently recognized by the Time magazine (US) as one of the best inventions of the year 2013. Dr. Mussatto has participated in numerous research projects and has published more than 115 full papers in peer-reviewed journals, 13 book chapters, 3 patents and more than 230 papers in scientific conferences. The impact of her published works is reflected in more than 3000 citations and h-index: 28 (Scopus). She is Associate Editor of the Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, Editorial Board Member of the Biofuel Research Journal, and has been on the advisory board of several leading international scientific journals and international funding agencies.

1. Biomass pretreatment, biorefineries and potential products for a bioeconomy development 2. Mechanical pretreatment of lignocellulose for biorefinery 3. Extrusion pretreatment 4. Fractionation of the lignocellulosic material with pyrolysis processing 5. Microwave-induced biomass fractionation 6. Use of ultrasound for pretreatment of biomass and subsequent hydrolysis and fermentation 7. Application of pulsed electric energy for biomass pretreatment in biorefinery 8. Biomass pretreatment with acids 9. Biomass pretreatment with oxalic acid (OAFEX) for value added products 10. Pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass with metal salts 11. Integration of organosolv pretreatment for biomass to a biorefinery 12. Pretreatment of lignocellulose with solvent-NMMO 13. A novel green biomass fractionation technology - hydrotropic pretreatment 14. Hydrothermal/liquid hot water pretreatment (autohydrolysis): a multi-purpose process for biomass upgrading 15. Steam explosion as lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment 16. Fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass materials with wet explosion pretreatment 17. Biomass pretreatment with carbon dioxide 18. Chemical oxidation with ozone as efficient pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials 19. Recent advances in alkaline pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass 20. Alkaline pretreatment with ammonia 21. Alkaline peroxide pretreatment for an effective biomass degradation 22. Sulfite pretreatment to overcome the recalcitrance of lignocelluloses 23. Enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic residues 24. Biological pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass 25. Techno-economic considerations for lignocellulosic biomass fractionation in a biorefinery context 26. Socio-economic and environmental considerations for sustainable supply and fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass in a biorefinery context