Feasibility of co-producing arabinoxylans and ethanol in a wheat biorefinery

Abstract

The feasibility of extracting arabinoxylans from wheat bran within a wheat biorefinery principally producing ethanol was investigated. Based on this test case, a framework for evaluating opportunities for co-product production and process integration in wheat biorefineries has been established.

Production of bioethanol is increasing rapidly around the world, in order to alleviate pressure on oil supplies and the environmental burden of burning fossil fuels, as well as to increase national energy security and to rejuvenate rural economies. Bioethanol production in the UK, however, has not yet started. It is recognised that in order to make UK bioethanol production economically competitive and commercially feasible, the ethanol must be produced as one of several co-products within a biorefinery. This would allow scope for more integrated, and hence more economical, processes.