초록
<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Five solvents with different physicochemical properties were evaluated for organosolv pretreatment with wheat straw (<I>Triticum durum Desf.</I>). Ethanol, methanol, butanol, acetone and diethylene glycol, were used, in the presence of 23 mol m<SUP>−3</SUP> sulfuric acid as the pretreatment's catalyst. The pretreatment process was conducted at different temperatures and times. The enzymatic digestibility of the pretreated material was estimated by using a commercial cellulase preparation prior to fermentation of released glucose by <I>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</I>. The pretreatment with ethanol at 180 °C for 40 min resulted in a maximum cellulose conversion of 89%, as well as ethanol yield 67% of theoretical yield. The results indicate that organosolv pretreatment with diethylene glycol at 160 °C for 40 min is also very promising due to its high ethanol yield of 65% combined with high pulp yield of 51%.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Ethanol, methanol, butanol, acetone and diethylene glycol, were used as solvents. </LI> <LI> Enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation was applied on the pretreated material. </LI> <LI> The digestibility of the pretreated material was significantly enhanced. </LI> <LI> Maximum cellulose conversion was 89%, as well as relative ethanol yield was 67%. </LI> <LI> Diethylene glycol was used for the first time and was found very promising. </LI> </UL> </P>