Release of simple sugars from lignocellulosic biomass of Agave salmiana leaves subject to sequential pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification

Abstract In this work, series of sequential acid-alkaline and enzymatic saccharification treatments were applied on lignocellulosic biomass of Agave salmiana leaves in order to evaluate its conversion into simple sugars. The effects of a catalytic reagent and residence time were evaluated on lignocellulosic biomass. Also, several levels of FPU and cellulose loadings on the treated biomass were applied in the enzymatic saccharification. Upon completion of an acid-alkaline pretreatment, the resulting hemicellulose was completely hydrolyzed, whereas that lignin removed and the remaining cellulose reached values of 91 and 84% (w/w) respectively. The liquid by-product after acid pretreatment had a content of 0.50 g/L of glucose, 1.87 ± 0.045 g/L of arabinose, 21.35 g/L of xylose, and 39.15 g/L of reducing sugars. The saccharification process reached yields of 93.11% of conversion and glucose concentrations of 49.76 g/L. The sequential process was highly efficient in releasing simple sugars with concentrations of up to 88.91 g/L. This study provides data to improve the conversion processes of lignocellulosic components A. salmiana leaves into simple sugars, and illustrates the potential of using this crop's residue as a feedstock for biofuel production.