AN IMPROVED PRE-HYDROLYSIS STEP INVOLVING VACUUM

摘要

An improved pre-hydrolysis step involving exposing water insoluble pre-treated ligno- cellulosic biomass to vacuum conditions, with and without enzymes is disclosed. After exposing the water insoluble pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass to vacuum conditions, enzymatic hydrolysis is conducted on the pre-treated material. The result is an increased yield of glucose and often xylose after the enzymatic hydrolysis when compared to a composition which has not been exposed to vacuum conditions.