Typha grass is an invasive wetland plant with high annual productivity that can be used for biorefinery. It contains high levels of sugars and low lignin, making it suitable for conversion processes. The objective is to explore Typha capensis's potential as a biorefinery feedstock. A two-step pretreatment was performed and yielded good enzymatic digestibility of sugars. Characterization of Typha lignin showed a higher S/G ratio, indicating easier delignification. Typha deserves consideration as a promising biomass feedstock for tropical biorefining due to its high productivity, simple pretreatment requirements, and good enzymatic hydrolysability.

1. Typha for biorefinery
Yakindra Prasad Timilsena
Food Research Officer, Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, Kathmandu
Email: yakendra.timilsena@gmail.com
Abstract Objective
Typha grass is an invasive and obnoxious wetland herbaceous plant with The overall objective is to explore the potentiality of
the annual productivity of more than 50 ton dry matter per hectare. It Typha capensis as feedstock for biorefinery. Specifically-
has been used in the treatment of various diseases since ancient times.
Compositional analysis demonstrated approximately 80% sugars and • To determine the EOL yield and Klason lignin content of
very low lignin content (<20%) in dry biomass basis underpinning its
the pulp after two step pretreatment
potential use as food and for conversion processes. It has also been
marked for its good anti microbial properties. Strong capacity of typha • To compare the enzymatic hydrolysis yield of sugars
for removing contaminants such as heavy metals and inorganic nutrients • To characterize typha lignin
from waste waters established it as a promising aquatic macrophyte for
phytoremediation. 13C NMR analysis of typha lignin revealed significantly
higher S/G ratio (55:15) suggesting its easier delignification and better
Results and discussion
pulp yield during pretreatment process. Enzymatic hydrolysis, in
addition, demonstrated efficient cellulose to glucose conversion
alleviating downstream processing to food, chemical or fuel. In addition
to its plenteous availability, high biomass productivity, easier
delignification and enzymatic hydrolysability Typha deserves a promising
biomass feedstock for tropical food, environment, medicine or
biorefining sector.
Methodology
Layout of 2-step pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis
• One step pretreatment process is sufficient
• Easier delignification and better enzymatic digestibility
• NMR shows higher S/G ratio (3.7)
• FTIR shows its similarity with other herbaceous lignin
• SEC analysis of lignin revealed its high molecular weight
and polydispersity index.
Enzymatic hydrolysability of typha
Gel permeation Chromatographic characterization of typha lignin Carbon NMR of typha lignin (CEL)
Conclusion
Almost 50% of the plant is comprised of a
• High productivity (>50 ton dm/ha/year underground rhizome system which possess 40%
• Simple and low severity pretreatment is sufficient starch and sugar (Andrew and Pratt, 1981).
• Good enzymatic hydrolysability
• High S/G ratio and easier delignification