Effects of alkaline organosolv delignification on enzymatic conversion of cellulose from sugarcane bagasse pretreated by steam explosion

Abstract

The enzymatic conversion of pretreated and delignificated sugarcane bagasse was evaluated by L18 Taguchi experimental design. The factors selected for the study were: ethanol and caustic soda concentration, temperature, reaction time and fiber/liquor ratio. The NaOH concentration was the only significant factor in the delignification, hemicellulose solubilization and cellulose conversion. Recovery of ethanol was influenced by only the fiber/liquor ratio, for the same level. The lignin and hemicellulose removal from bagasse pretreated by steam explosion has reached over 80% and 55%, respectively. Pulps with the lowest lignin and hemicellulose contents had the best results of the cellulose conversion, almost 70%.