Fast and efficient alkaline peroxide treatment to enhance the enzymatic digestibility of steam‐exploded softwood substrates

摘要: The enzymatic digestibility of steam-exploded Douglas-fir wood chips (steam exploded at 195°C, 4.5 min, and 4.5% (w/w) SO2) was significantly improved using an optimized alkaline peroxide treatment. Best hydrolysis yields were attained when the material post-treated with 1% hydrogen pH 11.5 80°C for 45 min. This treatment applied directly to water-washed, eliminating need independent alkali 0.4% NaOH, which has been traditionally used post-treat samples try remove residual lignin. Approximately 90% lignin in original solubilized by this novel procedure, leaving a cellulose-rich residue that completely hydrolyzed within 48 h, enzyme loading 10 FPU/g cellulose. About 82% originally available polysaccharide components could be recovered. 18% carbohydrate not recovered lost primarily sugar degradation during steam explosion. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 77: 678–684, 2002; DOI 10.1002/bit.10159