Pre-treatment optimization of Scenedesmus obliquus microalga for bioethanol production

► Scenedesmus obliquus is a good source for bioethanol production as it has a high sugar content. ► Scenedesmus has one of the most resistant cell walls and therefore its disruption is essential. ► Carbohydrates from Scenedesmus must be released from the cell. ► The best pre-treatment is H2SO4 (2 N) addition, at 120 °C over 30 min using dried biomass. ► This pre-treatment has a low cost and low energy consumption.