Statistical optimization of enzymatic saccharification of sodium hydroxide pretreated parthenium hysterophorus biomass using response surface methodology

Abstract

The biomass of the lignocellulosic weed P. hysterophorus is abundant and wasteful in India. This study aimed to investigate the lignocellulosic weed P. hysterophorus for reducing sugar production. Therefore, several pretreatment methods, physical (Steam and Microwave), and chemical (alkalis and acids) were investigated to determine the statistically best conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis. The results revealed that alkali pretreatment (sodium hydroxide, 1.0% w/v) had the greatest impact on the production of reducing sugar (110.36 ± 0.05 mg/g substrate) from P. hysterophorus. The decrease in the lignin content and increase in carbohydrates from pretreated biomass was further validated using an ultrastructural technique (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction). The quantity of reducing sugars released was optimized using a response surface methodology, and the experimental results with optimized process variables gave 385.44 mg/g substrate reducing sugar. The investigations showed that P. hysterophorus can be utilized as a promising and low-cost biomass source for commercial ethanol production.