Selective saccharification of microwave-assisted glycerol pretreated corncobs via fast pyrolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis

•Microwave-assisted glycerol pretreatment was performed for saccharification of corncobs.•Microwave-assisted glycerol pretreatment favored demineralization and delignification.•Levoglucosan yield from pretreated corncobs was enhanced from 6.9 to 44.5% in fast pyrolysis.•Glucose yield from pretreated corncobs was improved to 52.1 from 19.9% in enzymatic hydrolysis.•A comparative investigation for fast pyrolysis and enzymatic saccharification was made.