Preparation of levoglucosenone through sulfuric acid promoted pyrolysis of bagasse at low temperature

► Sulfuric acid can promote the pyrolysis of bagasse to form LGO effectively. ► An optimal LGO yield of 7.58 % from the pretreated bagasse was obtained at 270 °C. ► Bagasse is better than microcrystalline cellulose for LGO production. ► A more economical process was developed to produce LGO.