Short time ionic liquids pretreatment on lignocellulosic biomass to enhance enzymatic saccharification

► We pretreated biomasses using [Bmpy][Cl], 1-buthyl-3-methylpyridinium chloride. ► Bagasse and Eucalyptus were pretreated at 120 °C for 10 min or 1 h. ► The pretreatment caused cellulose conversion 3- to 8-fold higher than untreated ones. ► Short time pretreatment with [Bmpy][Cl] was effective for both biomasses. ► [Bmpy][Cl] pretreatment may reduce the degree of polymerization of cellulose.