Evaluation of Composition, Characterization and Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Pretreated Sugar Cane Bagasse

Glucose production from sugarcane bagasse was investigated. Sugarcane bagasse was pretreated by four different methods: combined acid and alkaline, combined hydrothermal and alkaline, alkaline, and peroxide pretreatment. The raw material and the solid fraction of the pretreated bagasse were characterized according to the composition, SEM, X-ray and FTIR analysis. Glucose production after enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated bagasse was also evaluated. All these results were used to develop relationships between these parameters to understand better and improve this process. The results showed that the alkaline pretreatment, using sodium hydroxide, was able to reduce the amount of lignin in the sugarcane bagasse, leading to a better performance in glucose production after the pretreatment process and enzymatic hydrolysis. A good xylose production was also observed.