Sugarcane leaves pretreated with dilute sulfuric acid were
more susceptible to cellulase hydrolysis than those pretreated
with lime. The optimally pretreated sugarcane leaves, at 6%
(w/v, DS) in 1.5% (w/v) sulfuric acid and autoclaved at 121 C,
15 lb/in2 for 30 min, were hydrolysed with cellulase (160 FPU/g,
DS) while suspended in the pretreatment hydrolysate. The
hydrolysate (9.8 g/l glucose) obtained was then further fermented
to ethanol by S. cerevisiae to give a maximal ethanol
yield of 4.71 g/l or 8% (w/w, DS) after 24 h of incubation.
Based on this study, dilute (1.5% (w/v)) sulfuric acid pretreated
sugarcane leaves are recommended for hydrolysis
with cellulase while suspended in the pretreatment hydrolysate
for maximal ethanol yield.