STUDY OF ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS OF SUGAR CANE STRAW FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ETHANOL

Abstract

It was studied the enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane straw in order to obtain fermentable sugars. The biomass passed through physical processes (milling, washing and drying), delignification with H₂O₂ alkaline and hydrolysis. After characterization of the lignocellulosic biomass in natura and delignified it was observed the removal of 50% of the lignin content. The enzymatic activity of T. reesei cellulase and commercial Cellic® CTec2 was quantified. The reaction pH, enzyme concentration and reaction time were studied, obtaining optimum pH 4.0 and 5.5 for T. reesei and Cellic® CTec2, respectively. The highest yield in terms of enzyme concentration was 10 FPU/g of straw for both enzymes and for the time, both enzymes reduced conversion after 24 hours of hydrolysis, possibly due to microbial contamination. Finally, it has been carried out a material balance for the commercial cellulase, resulting in a yield of the enzymatic hydrolysis of the cellulose content of 23.8%.