Abstract: Methods of separating plant matter are described herein. The methods may include contacting monocotyledonous plant matter with one or more enzymes or one or more organisms expressing one or more enzymes, where the monocotyledonous plant matter includes vascular bundles, pith, and rind. Following the enzymatic treatment, additional processing of the plant matter may be undertaken through mechanical means. The low-intensity mechanical processing may dislodge the pith, rind, and vascular bundles from one another while minimizing energy consumption and potential damage to the plant matter. Further processing may include sorting mechanisms such as mechanical screening or pneumatic air classification. The incorporation of enzymatic treatment prior to mechanical separation may enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of separating the rind, pith, and vascular bundles from one another compared to conventional mechanical separation methods.

Abstract: A method of producing succinic acid from a biomass. The method comprises adding citric acid to a biomass comprising microalgae to form an acidified microalgae composition. The acidified microalgae biomass composition is stored under anaerobic conditions without inoculating the acidified microalgae composition with bacteria formulated to produce succinic acid. A coproduct comprising succinic acid is produced. Other methods of producing succinic acid from a biomass are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing succinic acid from a biomass. The method comprises adding citric acid to a biomass comprising microalgae to form an acidified microalgae composition. The acidified microalgae biomass composition is stored under anaerobic conditions without inoculating the acidified microalgae composition with bacteria formulated to produce succinic acid. A coproduct comprising succinic acid is produced. Other methods of producing succinic acid from a biomass are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of recovering lignin products and other products from biomass. The method comprises adding a chemical agent to a stored biomass comprising lignin to form a chemically-treated biomass. The chemical agent comprises an acid, a base, an inorganic salt, or a combination of the inorganic salt and one of the acid or the base. The chemically-treated biomass is stored under anaerobic conditions. Lignin products, such as high molecular weight lignin, medium molecular weight lignin, or low molecular weight lignin, are recovered from the chemically-treated biomass. Additional methods of recovering lignin products and other products from biomass are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of recovering lignin products and other products from biomass. The method comprises adding a chemical agent to a stored biomass comprising lignin to form a chemically-treated biomass. The chemical agent comprises an acid, a base, an inorganic salt, or a combination of the inorganic salt and one of the acid or the base. The chemically-treated biomass is stored under anaerobic conditions. Lignin products, such as high molecular weight lignin, medium molecular weight lignin, or low molecular weight lignin, are recovered from the chemically-treated biomass. Additional methods of recovering lignin products and other products from biomass are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preserving a biomass. The method comprises adding an acid solution to a biomass comprising microalgae to form an acidified microalgae biomass composition. The acidified microalgae biomass composition is stored under anaerobic conditions without inoculating the acidified microalgae biomass composition with bacteria. An additional method of preserving a biomass comprises storing the acidified microalgae biomass composition under anaerobic conditions and exposing the acidified microalgae biomass composition to carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or a combination thereof to produce a coproduct comprising succinic acid. Yet another method of preserving a biomass comprises storing the acidified microalgae biomass composition under anaerobic conditions and in the presence of carbon dioxide. A preserved biomass is also disclosed.