LAUSR

Understanding the reaction pathways of cellulose hydrolysis in hot-compressed water (HCW) is crucial for the optimization of fermentable sugars and chemicals production. Advanced analytical strategies are required in order to better assess the wide range of products from cellulose conversion in HCW. In this work, cellulose conversion in HCW was conducted in an autoclave with sampling upon the reaction time under isothermal conditions (180°C, 220°C, 260°C, 0 to 120 min). Total water-soluble carbohydrates were quantified (phenol/sulfuric acid method). These products were first characterized by size exclusion chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and evaporative light scattering detector (SEC-ELSD-MS). SEC is useful for screening the molecular weight distribution of soluble products. Then the chemical structure of water solubles has been attributed by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled to a linear trap quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometer (HILIC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS). This method notably...