Simplified configuration for conversion of sugars from sugarcane bagasse into ethanol

Abstract The biochemical production of second generation ethanol involves pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation, which can be carried out using different configurations. In the present study, sugarcane bagasse was pretreated with dilute H2SO4, saccharified (enzymes), and fermented (Scheffersomyces stipitis). Two configurations, fermentation of hemicellulosic hydrolysate (FHH) separated from separate hydrolysis and fermentation of pretreated solids (SHF), in fractions obtained after filtration of the slurry, and integrated hydrolysis of pretreated solids separated from co-fermentation of cellulosic and hemicellulosic hydrolysates (IHSCF), in whole slurry, were evaluated for ethanol production. Washed or non-washed pretreated solids, and neutralized (NaOH) or detoxified (laccase) hemicellulosic hydrolysates, were evaluated in the first configuration. Neutralized (NaOH), pre-supplemented (nutrients), or detoxified (laccase) slurries in non-hybrid and hybrid systems, in the second configuration. Detoxification improved conversions in both configurations. Maximum efficiency in SHF + FHH configuration was 28.4% in 168 h, while, in IHSCF configuration, 38.9% was obtained in 96 h.