AI Article Synopsis
- Dew retting is a process that uses microbes to break down the tissues around cellulose fibers in crops like hemp and flax, preserving fiber quality for industrial use.
- The current methods for this process are not standardized and poorly understood, leading to challenges in fiber valorization.
- A new multiscale model was created to simulate microbial growth during retting, demonstrating its effectiveness in accurately predicting the mass loss of key plant polymers based on temperature and moisture conditions.
Article Abstract
Dew retting of fiber crops, such as hemp or flax, in the field after harvest promotes the microbial biodegradation of the tissues surrounding cellulosic fibers, which helps preserve the quality of fibers during their extraction and valorization for industry. This bioprocess is currently the bottleneck for plant fiber valorization because it is empirically managed and its controlling factors have not been properly quantified. A novel multiscale model representing tissue and polymer biodegradation was developed to simulate microbial growth on the stem during retting. The model was evaluated against experimental hemp retting data. It consistently simulated the mass loss of eight plant polymers belonging to two tissues of the stem outer layer, i.e., parenchyma and fiber bundles. Microbial growth was modeled by Monod equations and modulated by the functions of temperature and moisture. This work provides a tool for gaining more insights into microorganism behavior during retting under local climate conditions.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123558 | DOI Listing |
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