Production of second generation sugars from giant reed and cardoon as potential feedstock for the bioconversion into microbial lipids

Among lignocellulosic feedstocks, giant reed (Arundo donax L.) and cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) are abundant naturally growing perennial herbs of the Mediterranean region. The chemical hydrolysis of giant reed and cardoon for the production of pentose/hexose sugars were investigated in the last years, showing an excellent reactivity under mild reaction conditions. In this work, the two-steps chemical hydrolysis of giant reed and cardoon was carried out in a microwave reactor employing for the first step both homogenous and heterogeneous catalysts to recover pentose sugars and diluted sulfuric acid in the second step to recover the glucose. In order to optimize the synthesis of sugars, the main process parameters were investigated through a chemometric approach.