Enhanced saccharification kinetics of sugarcane bagasse pretreated in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride at high temperature and without complete dissolution

► Material balances separating dissolved and undissolved material for the first time. ► Dissolved bagasse has very low crystallinity and is easily saccharified. ► Complete dissolution is not essential for maximum saccharification yields at 150 °C. ► Cellulose crystal lattice expansion occurs in the undissolved fraction at 150 °C.