Peroxide−Acetic Acid Pretreatment To Remove Bagasse Lignin Prior to Enzymatic Hydrolysis

Abstract

This paper presents results on the features of bagasse pretreatment with peroxide and acetic acid (peroxide−HAc) aiming at selective removal of lignin to enhance enzymatic hydrolysis. Surface response methodology was employed to study the effects of major process parameters on delignification and to establish a model for the prediction of lignin removal in the process. Enzymatic hydrolysis following the pretreatment was conducted to evaluate the enhancement of biohydrolysis by the pretreatment. Results revealed that peroxide−HAc pretreatment of bagasse retained most of the carbohydrate constituents, although the delignification rate was low. Peroxide−HAc concentration, temperature, and time demonstrated significant effects on bagasse lignin removal. The relationship between lignin removal and the process parameters could be well described by a mathematical model derived from the experimental data. After treatment with 69.1% peroxide−HAc at 80 °C for 26.5 h, 97.08% of lignin could be removed while keeping ...