Enhanced polysaccharide recovery from agricultural residues and perennial grasses treated with alkaline hydrogen peroxide

Pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials with alkaline hydrogen peroxide greatly increases their susceptibility to enzymatic cellulose hydrolysis. During the course of the pretreatment reaction (18 h), the pH rises slowly, increasing from pH 11.5 to a final pH > 12. As a result, most of the hemicellulose in the lignocellulosic substrate becomes solubilized. Maintaining the reaction pH near the optimum of 11.5 prevents hemicellulose solubilization and decreases the time required for effective pretreatment to about 6 h. Alkaline peroxide pretreatment is most effective on lignocellulose from monocotyledonous plants, especially members of the family Gramineae. Enzymatic saccharification efficiencies > 90% of theoretical were attained from high yielding perennial grasses such as big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) after alkaline peroxide pretreatment.