Structural properties and hydrolysabilities of Chinese Pennisetum and Hybrid Pennisetum: Effect of aqueous ammonia pretreatment

The effects of aqueous ammonia pretreatment on structural properties and hydrolysabilities of Chinese Pennisetum and Hybrid Pennisetum were investigated. Aqueous ammonia pretreatment increased cellulose crystallinities and hydrolysabilities of Chinese Pennisetum and Hybrid Pennisetum. Compared with Chinese Pennisetum, Hybrid Pennisetum showed better enzymatic digestibility. Xylanase supplementation was more effective than the increase of cellulase loadings in the hydrolysis of aqueous ammonia pre-treated Chinese Pennisetum and Hybrid Pennisetum. After supplementation of 2 mg of xylanase/g dry matter to 5 FPU of cellulases/g dry matter, the hydrolysis yields of cellulose of aqueous ammonia pre-treated Chinese Pennisetum and Hybrid Pennisetum were 92.3-95.4%, and the hydrolysis yields of xylan were 86.9-94.2%. High hydrolysability and low dosage of enzyme loadings together with the advantages of high yield and widely distribution demonstrated the potential of Chinese Pennisetum and Hybrid Pennisetum for the production of platform sugars. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.