Development of an efficient pretreatment process for enzymatic saccharification of Eastern redcedar

► Hemicellulose and lignin removal occurred during acid bisulfite pretreatments. ► Delignification was important for improving glucose-to-glucan yields. ► Delignification of redcedar was increased by increasing sodium bisulfite loadings. ► Highest overall theoretical yield of wood glucan-to-glucose was 87%.