Carbohydrates-first biomass fractionation and valorization: Advances, challenges, and future opportunities

Siwei Chen; Yang Cao; Fukuan Li; Zhihui Ma; Keqiang Zhang; Chunbao Xu; Daniel C.W. Tsang; Feng Shen

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127281

Carbohydrates-first biomass fractionation and valorization: Advances, challenges, and future opportunities

Siwei Chen
, Yang Cao
, Fukuan Li
, Zhihui Ma
, Keqiang Zhang
, Chunbao Xu
, Daniel C.W. Tsang^*
, Feng Shen^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

School of Energy and Environment

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable and renewable resources has driven significant research into lignocellulosic biomass. Lignocellulosic carbohydrates (cellulose, hemicellulose, and their derived water-soluble sugars) represent the most abundant renewable feedstock for producing sustainable chemicals and functional materials. This review first critically evaluates carbohydrates-first fractionation methods, including deep eutectic solvents (DESs), ionic liquids (ILs), organic solvents, peroxide, alkali, and acid, with critical analysis of their sustainability indicators (environmental and economic impacts). Subsequently, various conversion pathways from fractionated carbohydrates to valuable chemicals and sustainable materials are discussed. Finally, future directions and research opportunities for carbohydrates fractionation and valorization are proposed, reinforcing the status of carbohydrates as the most promising materials for multiple fields in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd.

Original language	English
Article number	127281
Number of pages	19
Journal	Journal of Environmental Management
Volume	394
Online published	13 Sept 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127281
Publication status	Published - Nov 2025

Funding

This work was supported by the Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences [CAAS-CSGLCA-202401], the National Natural Science Foundation of China [NSFC, No. 22378215], the Natural Science Foundation Key Program of Tianjin [23JCZDJC00700], and Hong Kong Research Grants Council [Project No. CityU C1017-24G and HKUST 15231522].

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

Research Keywords

Bio-based chemicals/materials
Biomass waste recycling
Carbohydrates chemistry
Economic and sustainability assessment
Lignocellulose biorefinery
Sustainable resource circularity

RGC Funding Information

RGC-funded

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10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127281

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Check CityUHK Library

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Cite this

@article{69ae164d60874eea8166bdf345974457,

title = "Carbohydrates-first biomass fractionation and valorization: Advances, challenges, and future opportunities",

abstract = "The growing demand for sustainable and renewable resources has driven significant research into lignocellulosic biomass. Lignocellulosic carbohydrates (cellulose, hemicellulose, and their derived water-soluble sugars) represent the most abundant renewable feedstock for producing sustainable chemicals and functional materials. This review first critically evaluates carbohydrates-first fractionation methods, including deep eutectic solvents (DESs), ionic liquids (ILs), organic solvents, peroxide, alkali, and acid, with critical analysis of their sustainability indicators (environmental and economic impacts). Subsequently, various conversion pathways from fractionated carbohydrates to valuable chemicals and sustainable materials are discussed. Finally, future directions and research opportunities for carbohydrates fractionation and valorization are proposed, reinforcing the status of carbohydrates as the most promising materials for multiple fields in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. {\textcopyright} 2025 Elsevier Ltd.",

keywords = "Bio-based chemicals/materials, Biomass waste recycling, Carbohydrates chemistry, Economic and sustainability assessment, Lignocellulose biorefinery, Sustainable resource circularity",

author = "Siwei Chen and Yang Cao and Fukuan Li and Zhihui Ma and Keqiang Zhang and Chunbao Xu and Tsang, \{Daniel C.W.\} and Feng Shen",

year = "2025",

month = nov,

doi = "10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127281",

language = "English",

volume = "394",

journal = "Journal of Environmental Management",

issn = "0301-4797",

publisher = "Elsevier Ltd.",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Carbohydrates-first biomass fractionation and valorization

T2 - Advances, challenges, and future opportunities

AU - Chen, Siwei

AU - Cao, Yang

AU - Li, Fukuan

AU - Ma, Zhihui

AU - Zhang, Keqiang

AU - Xu, Chunbao

AU - Tsang, Daniel C.W.

AU - Shen, Feng

PY - 2025/11

Y1 - 2025/11

N2 - The growing demand for sustainable and renewable resources has driven significant research into lignocellulosic biomass. Lignocellulosic carbohydrates (cellulose, hemicellulose, and their derived water-soluble sugars) represent the most abundant renewable feedstock for producing sustainable chemicals and functional materials. This review first critically evaluates carbohydrates-first fractionation methods, including deep eutectic solvents (DESs), ionic liquids (ILs), organic solvents, peroxide, alkali, and acid, with critical analysis of their sustainability indicators (environmental and economic impacts). Subsequently, various conversion pathways from fractionated carbohydrates to valuable chemicals and sustainable materials are discussed. Finally, future directions and research opportunities for carbohydrates fractionation and valorization are proposed, reinforcing the status of carbohydrates as the most promising materials for multiple fields in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd.

AB - The growing demand for sustainable and renewable resources has driven significant research into lignocellulosic biomass. Lignocellulosic carbohydrates (cellulose, hemicellulose, and their derived water-soluble sugars) represent the most abundant renewable feedstock for producing sustainable chemicals and functional materials. This review first critically evaluates carbohydrates-first fractionation methods, including deep eutectic solvents (DESs), ionic liquids (ILs), organic solvents, peroxide, alkali, and acid, with critical analysis of their sustainability indicators (environmental and economic impacts). Subsequently, various conversion pathways from fractionated carbohydrates to valuable chemicals and sustainable materials are discussed. Finally, future directions and research opportunities for carbohydrates fractionation and valorization are proposed, reinforcing the status of carbohydrates as the most promising materials for multiple fields in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd.

KW - Bio-based chemicals/materials

KW - Biomass waste recycling

KW - Carbohydrates chemistry

KW - Economic and sustainability assessment

KW - Lignocellulose biorefinery

KW - Sustainable resource circularity

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105015560477

UR - https://www.scopus.com/record/pubmetrics.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105015560477&origin=recordpage

U2 - 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127281

DO - 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127281

M3 - RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal

SN - 0301-4797

VL - 394

JO - Journal of Environmental Management

JF - Journal of Environmental Management

M1 - 127281

ER -

Carbohydrates-first biomass fractionation and valorization: Advances, challenges, and future opportunities

Abstract

Funding

UN SDGs

Research Keywords

RGC Funding Information

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CRF-Sub-pj: A Biorefining Approach to Converting Organic Solid Wastes into Multiple High Value-added Bioproducts

CRF: A Biorefining Approach to Converting Organic Solid Wastes into Multiple High Value-added Bioproducts

CRF-Sub-pj: A Biorefining Approach to Converting Organic Solid Wastes into Multiple High Value-added Bioproducts

Cite this

Carbohydrates-first biomass fractionation and valorization: Advances, challenges, and future opportunities

Abstract

Funding

UN SDGs

Research Keywords

RGC Funding Information

Access Output

Other Access Options

Permanent Link

Other Files and Links

Fingerprint

Projects

CRF-Sub-pj: A Biorefining Approach to Converting Organic Solid Wastes into Multiple High Value-added Bioproducts

CRF: A Biorefining Approach to Converting Organic Solid Wastes into Multiple High Value-added Bioproducts

CRF-Sub-pj: A Biorefining Approach to Converting Organic Solid Wastes into Multiple High Value-added Bioproducts

Cite this