Evaluation of data reliability in the micro-scale compositional neutral sugar analysis of lignocellulosic biomass

Abstract

In this study, a micro-scale analytical method for compositional neutral sugars in lignocellulosic biomass was evaluated to obtain the high reproducibility of analytical data when compared to general chemical analysis, with the purpose of setting up a chemical analysis using micro-destructive method that possesses reproducibility as high as general analysis methods. The limits of detection (LOD) and the limits of quantification (LOQ) were 4.3-5.9 mg/L and 13.1-17.9 mg/L, respectively. Loss factor of 2nd acid hydrolysis of sample was higher than that of 1st acid hydrolysis. The error range of the relative neutral sugar composition between normal destructive and micro-destructive method was about ±0.2%. However, the error of absolute glucose content was about ±0.7% caused by weighing errors. The accuracy and precision of an electronic scale was showed as the most important factor when using micro-scale samples. The results showed that the micro-scale analytical method can be suitably applied to the neutral sugar analysis of lignocellulosic biomass.