ENZYMATIC TREATMENT UNDER VACUUM OF LIGNOCELLULOSIC MATERIALS

摘要

A method for treating lignocellulosic feedstock plant materials to release fermentable sugars is disclosed. More specifically, an enzymatic hydrolysis process for treating the materials performed under vacuum and producing a sugar rich process stream comprising reduced amounts of volatile sugar/fermentation inhibiting compounds such as furfural and acetic acid. The sugar rich stream may subsequently be subjected to fermentation to produce biofuels such as ethanol and other chemicals.