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Soil salinity is one of the particularly important environmental factors, which limits the growth and development of plants, reduces the amount of crops and causes serious economic damage. The study found that Festuca arundinacea can be successfully used for the management and bioremediation of saline habitats, and it is characterized by a very well-developed root system and an average high biomass production of approx. 14.8 Mg∙ha−1, which can be used for industrial applications. Tall fescue biomass from soils with different levels of salinity was used to obtain bioethanol using 1.5% NaOH pretreatment and for the process of simultaneous enzymatic hydrolysis and ethanol fermentation (SSF). It was found that the content of Na+ ions in the tall fescue biomass had no significant effect on the amount of ethanol obtained (the average 19.32 g∙100 g−1 of raw material). F. arundinacea biomass was also used as a natural filler to obtain green composites using a biodegradable polylactide (PLA) matrix. It has been shown that tall fescue biomass with the lowest sodium content in biomass (approx. 2.5 mg∙g−1) from an area with high saline (above 6 g NaCl∙L−1) has the smallest effect on reducing the tensile and flexural strength of composites. Moreover, the highest value of bioethanol concentration (21.2 g∙100 g−1 of raw material) for this biomass sample was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flax is one of the few plants that are entirely a source of raw materials for further production. Promising directions for the use of flax biomass may be the production of bioenergy in the form of 2G biofuels and the production of "green" composites. The aim of the study is to compare the biomass of fiber flax, linseed and dual-purpose varieties of cultivated flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) susceptibility to the biorefining processes. In the first stage of the research, based on the results of yield structure features and biometric measurements of plants, the most optimal flax line was selected for the fiber flax, linseed and dual purpose. Next, the forms of flax were pretreated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), the chemical composition was determined and SEM images were taken. The obtaining of bioethanol process SFF (simultaneous saccharification and fermentation) was carried out. In addition, biodegradable polymers were modified with flax biomass, shapes were prepared, and the rheological and mechanical properties, as well as microbiological activity of biocomposites, were determined. The highest concentration of ethanol (8.72 g·L−1) and the greatest susceptibility to mold fungi of the biocomposites were obtained for the fiber flax variety PET 16/20. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The salinity of European soil is increasing every year, causing severe economic damage (estimated 1–3 million hectares in the enlarged EU). This study uses the biomass of halophytes—tall fescue (grass) and hemp of the Białobrzeskie variety from saline soils—for bioenergy, second generation biofuels and designing new materials—fillers for polymer composites. In the bioethanol obtaining process, in the first stage, the grass and hemp biomass were pretreated with 1.5% NaOH. Before and after the treatment, the chemical composition was determined and the FTIR spectra and SEM pictures were taken. Then, the process of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) was carried out. The concentration of ethanol for both the grass and hemp biomass was approx. 7 g·L−1 (14 g·100 g−1 of raw material). In addition, trials of obtaining green composites with halophyte biomass using polymers (PP) and biopolymers (PLA) as a matrix were performed. The mechanical properties of the composites (tensile and flexural tests) were determined. It was found that the addition of a compatibilizer improved the adhesion at the interface of PP composites with a hemp filler. In conclusion, the grass and hemp biomass were found to be an interesting and promising source to be used for bioethanol and biocomposites production. The use of annually renewable plant biomass from saline soils for biorefinering processes opens up opportunities for the development of a new value chains and new approaches to sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]