Abstract: A method of producing a wood-based material that is modified is provided. Specifically, there is provided a method of producing a wood-based material, comprising 1) a step of impregnating a wood-based material with a furan derivative resinification solution that comprises a furan derivative, an inorganic salt inhibiting polymerization of the furan derivative at normal temperature, and an inorganic salt accelerating polymerization of the furan derivative; and 2) a step of polymerizing the furan derivative in the furan derivative resinification solution impregnated into the wood-based material within the wood-based material by means of heating.

Abstract: To provide a method for producing acetic acid from lignocellulose with high efficiency and a method for producing bioethanol. First, lignocellulose such as wood is decomposition-treated by a method such as pressurized hydrothermal treatment (Step S1). Then, the treatment solution obtained in Step S1 is acetic acid-fermented as a substrate using Clostridium thermoaceticum as an anaerobic microorganism in the presence of cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate at a concentration of 0.05 to 0.1 g/L (Step S2).

Abstract: To provide a method for producing acetic acid from lignocellulose with high efficiency and a method for producing bioethanol. First, lignocellulose such as wood is decomposition-treated by a method such as pressurized hydrothermal treatment (Step S1). Then, the treatment solution obtained in Step S1 is acetic acid-fermented as a substrate using Clostridium thermoaceticum as an anaerobic microorganism in the presence of cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate at a concentration of 0.05 to 0.1 g/L (Step S2).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide, with regard to a method for lowering the molecular weight of polysaccharides contained in a cellulosic biomass by mixing the cellulosic biomass with ionic liquid, a method for controlling such rate of lowering of molecular weight. Also, a method for producing sugar, alcohol, or organic acid using the controlling method is provided. The method comprises mixing a cellulosic biomass with ionic liquid under an atmosphere with a partial pressure ratio differing from that of air. Under such an atmosphere with oxygen partial pressure higher than that of air, the rate of lowering molecular weight can be increased, and under an atmosphere with nitrogen partial pressure or carbon dioxide partial pressure higher than that of air or a reduced-pressure atmosphere, the rate of lowering molecular weight can be decreased.

Abstract: Wood is modified by impregnating wood with a methylsiloxane oligomer and heating the impregnated wood to cure the oligomer. The oligomer is of the average compositional formula: (CH.sub.3 SiO.sub.3/2).sub.m (MO.sub.3/2).sub.n or [CH.sub.3 SiO.sub.3/2 ].sub.x [(CH.sub.3).sub.a SiO.sub.(4-a)/2 ].sub.y [MO .sub.3/2 ].sub.z wherein M is P, PO and/or B, m and n are positive numbers with an average ratio of m:n ranging from 99:1 to 50:50, x, y, and z are positive numbers with an average ratio of (x+y):z ranging from 99:1 to 50:50 and an average ratio of x:y ranging from 99:1 to 50:50, and a is 2 or 3, and has a hydroxyl group and/or an alkoxyl group at a terminal end. This treatment of wood is safe. Since the methylsilicone resins thus incorporated and fixed within wood are not leached out in water, the modified wood maintains flame retardance for a very long time upon exposure to rain and dew and has water repellence, decay resistance and dimensional stability.