Ethanol-based organosolv treatment with trace hydrochloric acid improves the enzymatic digestibility of Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) by exposing nanofibers on the surface

► Alcohol organosolv treatment with 0.4% HCl improved the enzymatic digestibility. ► Ethanol-based organosolv treatment with 0.4% HCl exposed cellulose nanofibers. ► Accellerase1500 was suitable for hydrolysis of organosolv treated softwood.