COMBINED HPLC ANALYSIS OF ORGANIC-ACIDS AND FURANS FORMED DURING ORGANOSOLV PULPING OF FIBER HEMP

During organosolv pulping of fiber hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) with a mi xture of ethanol/water, delignification is catalyzed by released aceti c acid and formic acid in the effluent. The major sources of acetic ac id are the acetyl groups, as determined by means of the acetyl balance , whereas formic acid is mainly formed as degradation product of polys accharides. Trace amounts of other short chain organic acids and furan s, formed from cellulose and hemicellulose, are also present in the ef fluent. A relatively simple and reliable HPLC method is described to a nalyze simultaneously the carboxylic acids and furans quantitatively. Acetyl and formyl contents of hemp core (4.3% and 0.2% respectively) a nd hemp bast (1.3% and 0.2%) are also analyzed with HPLC after an alka line saponification.