Diluted phosphoric acid pretreatment for production of fermentable sugars in a sugarcane-based biorefinery

► Diluted phosphoric acid was employed as catalyst in sugarcane bagasse pretreatment. ► Factorial design showed the effects of temperature, time and acid concentration. ► Very effective hemicellulose solubilization was achieved at 186 °C, reaching 98%. ► Relatively low amounts of fermentation inhibitors were released in the hydrolysate. ► Phosphoric acid in the hydrolysate can be a P-source for subsequent fermentation.