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. 2024 Feb 21;29(5):937.
doi: 10.3390/molecules29050937.

A Network of Processes for Biorefining Burdock Seeds and Roots

Luigi di Bitonto  1 , Enrico Scelsi  1 , Massimiliano Errico  2 , Hilda Elizabeth Reynel-Ávila  3   4 , Didilia Ileana Mendoza-Castillo  3   4 , Adrián Bonilla-Petriciolet  4 , Marcos Lucio Corazza  5 , Luis Ricardo Shigueyuki Kanda  5 , Martin Hájek  6 , Roumiana P Stateva  7 , Carlo Pastore  1
Affiliations

A Network of Processes for Biorefining Burdock Seeds and Roots

Luigi di Bitonto et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

In this work, a novel sustainable approach was proposed for the integral valorisation of Arctium lappa (burdock) seeds and roots. Firstly, a preliminary recovery of bioactive compounds, including unsaturated fatty acids, was performed. Then, simple sugars (i.e., fructose and sucrose) and phenolic compounds were extracted by using compressed fluids (supercritical CO2 and propane). Consequently, a complete characterisation of raw biomass and extraction residues was carried out to determine the starting chemical composition in terms of residual lipids, proteins, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, and ash content. Subsequently, three alternative ways to utilise extraction residues were proposed and successfully tested: (i) enzymatic hydrolysis operated by Cellulases (Thricoderma resei) of raw and residual biomass to glucose, (ii) direct ethanolysis to produce ethyl levulinate; and (iii) pyrolysis to obtain biochar to be used as supports for the synthesis of sulfonated magnetic iron-carbon catalysts (Fe-SMCC) to be applied in the dehydration of fructose for the synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). The development of these advanced approaches enabled the full utilisation of this resource through the production of fine chemicals and value-added compounds in line with the principles of the circular economy.

Keywords: 5-hydroxymethylfurfural; Arctium lappa; biomass valorization; burdock roots; burdock seeds; circular economy; enzymatic hydrolysis; ethyl levulinate.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Reaction mechanism proposed for the conversion of raw biomass to ethyl levulinate by using H2SO4 and AlCl3·6H2O as catalysts [47].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Experimental results obtained from the direct ethanolysis of the extraction residues by using AlCl3·6H2O and H2SO4 as catalysts. Reaction conditions: 0.85 g of sample, molar ratio starting carbohydrates:acid ethanolic solution: AlCl3·6H2O = 1:230:0.4, 3.5 g of CO2, 190 °C, 2.5 h, 300 rpm.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Synthetic route for the synthesis of iron sulfonated magnetic carbon catalysts (Fe-SMCC) from the extraction residues of Burdock seeds and roots.
Figure 4
Figure 4
(a) Comparison of FTIR spectra of biochar and biochar obtained after the sulfonation process. (b) XRD spectra of biochar and iron-supported magnetic carbon catalyst (Fe-SMCC).
Figure 5
Figure 5
SEM images of biochar ((a’,a’’) of seeds and (d’,d’’) of roots, respectively), sulfonated biochar ((b’,b’’) for seeds and (e’,e’’) for roots), and Fe-SMCC ((c’,c’’) for seeds and (f’,f’’) for roots).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Use of Fe-SMCC in the dehydration of fructose for the synthesis of 5-HMF.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Integrated biorefinery approach for the complete valorisation of burdock seeds and roots.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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