Enzymatic hydrolysis optimization of microwave alkali pretreated wheat straw and ethanol production by yeast

► Crude enzymes used for hydrolysis of microwave alkali pretreated wheat straw. ► Factors affecting hydrolysis studied by sequential statistical PBD and BBD methodology. ► Fermentation of hydrolysate by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia stipitis and their co-culture. ► Carbon dioxide released during fermentation also studied.