Effect of Steam Explosion Pretreatment on Sugar Production by Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Olive Tree Pruning

Steam explosion pretreatment of olive tree pruning was investigated in pilot-scale, in order to maximize the overall glucose yield. Raw material was firstly characterized in order to determine the content of sugars, ash, extractives, acid insoluble lignin and acetyl groups. Biomass samples were then pretreated at seven different severities and, after pretreatment, solid residues and liquid fractions were separated by filtration. Pretreated solids were submitted to enzymatic hydrolysis for glucose release, using a commercial enzyme preparation. An overall highest theoretical ethanol yield of 14.41 g/100 g dry raw material was achieved at the severity of 4.41.