Proof of Concept

In 2020, we accidentally discovered that pine wood tree that is decomposed by brown rot fungi possesses strong hydrophobicity and oleophilicity. Subsequently, we found out that this phenomenon is related to the composition of lignin in pine wood and the characteristics of lignin alter when heated. While this discovery opened up the possibility of creating a novel eco-friendly absorbent, we faced a challenge because it takes up to over 10 years for pine trees in the natural environment to be decompose by brown rot fungi.

We then conducted thorough research on the decomposition of cellulose, which takes up 50% of tree composition, to increase the lignin content in pine tree wood. Next, we identified four different types of enzymes that contribute to cellulose decomposition, checked enzyme activity performance at Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli, and reacted with pin tree powder in the reaction chamber.

As a result, the lignin content in the powder increased from around 25~30% to 39~47% through the twelve weeks of the experiment. Also, the hydrophobicity and oleophilicity of the pine tree waste increased, although they may be weaker than pine trees that are decomposed by brown rot fungi. Therefore, we can conclude that expressed and secreted enzymes successfully react with pine wood powder to maximize its potential as an oil absorbent.

By significantly reducing the decomposition duration, it is meaningful to note that we posed commercial applicability of pine wood absorbent. If we later find methods to make use of the fungi system and decompose hemicellulose with cellulose, we will be able to reduce the decomposition duration that is needed to increase the lignin content of the wood.

Since peat moss is one of the few eco-friendly sorbent materials that exist in the current market for oil absorbents, our pinewood-based sorbent PineSorb will provide better alternatives for customers, especially in competition with other polypropylene oil absorbents. Also, it is possible to squeeze and recollect oil from used PineSorb, and the remaining pine tree powder can be turned into pellet form, which can be converted into different types of energy at a power station.

There is a significant number of pine trees all around the world. On the other hand, the production of peat moss is limited to specific areas, which makes it less accessible to different parts of the world. In any region under industrialization and urbanization, the use of oil is necessary for their growth, and an oil spill accident will be an inevitable consequence they will face in the process. Thus, using PineSorb to remove oil will greatly benefit the environment of the Earth.