Conversion for Avicel and AFEX pretreated corn stover by Clostridium thermocellum and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation: Insights into microbial conversion of pretreated cellulosic biomass

► Solubilization of Avicel is much faster by Clostridium thermocellum than SSF but it is not true for AFEX CS. ► Initial catalyst or inhibition of cell growth cannot explain the difference of C. thermocellum on the two substrates. ► Initial catalyst loading impacts final cellulose conversion for SSF but not for C. thermocellum. ► C. thermocellum derives more benefit from cell-associated cellulosome while growing on Avicel as compared to AFEX CS. ► Particle size reduction is more effective than hemicellulose removal on cellulose solubilization by C. thermocellum.