Efficient short-time hydrothermal depolymerization of sugarcane bagasse in one-pot for cellulosic ethanol production without solid-liquid separation, water washing, and detoxification

In these studies, a low-cost and energy efficiency production of cellulosic ethanol from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) using one-pot without solid-liquid separation, water washing, and detoxification was performed. Firstly, SCB was pretreated using liquid hot water as the only reagent at 210 degrees C for a short time (0 min), and the solid liquid ratio (SLR) was 1:20 (w/v). Then, the whole slurry of pretreated SCB was enzymatically hydrolyzed and fermented for cellulosic ethanol in one-pot. The results indicated that the one-pot preparation for ethanol achieved a high total fermentable sugar conversion of 84.52 +/- 1.24%, containing 88.61 +/- 1.57% of glucose and 78.01 +/- 1.63% of xylose. Moreover, the ethanol yield reached 257 +/- 5.51 mg/g (SCB), which was 77.56 +/- 1.64% of the theoretical ethanol conversion from SCB. Importantly, there was no wastewater discharge in the whole process. Overall, the present work provides an economically feasible method for ethanol production.

Automated summary

This study focused on the low-cost and energy-efficient production of cellulosic ethanol from sugarcane bagasse using a one-pot method without the need for solid-liquid separation, water washing, and detoxification. The results showed a high total fermentable sugar conversion and ethanol yield, with no wastewater discharge throughout the process. Overall, this approach provides an economically feasible method for ethanol production.