Improved enzyme efficiency of rapeseed straw through the two-stage fractionation process using sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid

► Two-stage fractionation for removing lignin and XMG from biomass performed. ► Evaluation of lignin removal conducted by changes in relative sugar content because of its ambiguities. ► High fractionation yield could be achieved with very low sugar decompositions. ► Higher digestibility was obtained for fractionated straw comparing to for acid pretreated straw.