Enhancement of cellulose hydrolysis in sugarcane bagasse by the selective removal of lignin with sodium chlorite

► Chlorite treatment efficiently created model substrates with lower lignin content. ► The 90% hydrolysis of cellulose was achieved by removing 60% of the lignin. ► The relationship between removed lignin and the glucose yield was established. ► Adding β-glucosidase to the system enhanced the glucose yield by 10%.