Comparison of choline acetate ionic liquid pretreatment with various pretreatments for enhancing the enzymatic saccharification of sugarcane bagasse

In this study, ionic liquid (IL) pretreatment using choline acetate ([Cho][OAc]), which is a completely bioderived IL, for enhancing the enzymatic saccharification of lignocellulose was investigated. To evaluate [Cho][OAc] IL pretreatment, its effects on sugarcane bagasse composition, its subsequent enzymatic saccharification, and the energy profit ratio (EPR) were compared with those of various pretreatments, such as comminution, microwave irradiation, and alkaline treatment. After 72 h of enzymatic saccharification using bagasse pretreated with [Cho][OAc] at 110 °C for 360 min, 0.355 g of glucose per 1 g of raw bagasse was obtained (i.e., 98.7% of the cellulose content of the pretreated bagasse was converted into glucose), and maximum EPR was achieved in these pretreatment conditions.