Integration of extrusion and clean fractionation processes as a pre-treatment technology for prairie cordgrass

► Prairie cordgrass (PCG) was extruded at predetermined optimized conditions. ► Clean fractionation (CF) processing was performed on extruded prairie cordgrass. ► Pulps were enzymatically hydrolyzed and glucose yields were measured. ► Optimal conditions resulted in 92% glucose yield, 87% lignin and 95% xylan removal. ► Pre-extrusion improved fractionation effectiveness and glucose yield.