Optimization of Microwave-Assisted Alkali Pretreatment for Enhancement of Delignification Process of Cocoa Pod Husk

In this study, the optimization of microwave-assisted alkaline (MAA) pretreatment is performed to attain optimal operating parameters for delignification cocoa pod husk (CPH). The MAA performance was examined by heating CPH solid with different particle sizes (60–120 mesh) and NaOH solution a sample solvent (SS) ratio (0.02–0.05 g/L), short irradiation time (1–4 min). Box-Behnken Design (BBD) utilized optimize percentage lignocellulose composition changes. results show that enlarging size, content lignin cellulose decreased while hemicellulose increased. By prolong time, elevated. On other hand, increasing SS not significant From FTIR SEM characterization, drove removal increased slightly. Supported kinetic study which conducted in work, it exhibited technology an effective method can tackle bottleneck its commercial biofuel production. Copyright © 2021 Authors, Published BCREC Group. This open access article under CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).