Evaluation of hemicellulose removal by xylanase and delignification on SHF and SSF for bioethanol production with steam-pretreated substrates

► Xylanase and delignification were applied for enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation. ► Delignification markedly improved hydrolysis and ethanol production in SHF and SSF. ► Xylanase supplementation was only positive to SHF while retarded SSF seriously. ► Xylanase improved xylan removal and consequently enhanced ethanol production in SHF. ► Protein stress or bacteriolysis of xylanase was possible reasons for retarding SSF.