Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of steam-pretreated lespedeza stalks for the production of ethanol

Lespedeza stalks were subjected to steam pretreatment at 210℃ for some steaming time before simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF). Cellulose-derived glucose was extensively utilized by yeast during SSF. The ethanol yields after steam pretreatment of the lespedeza stalks at 210℃ were 59.3%, 72.8% and 62.2% of the theoretically expected values when the steaming times were 2, 4 and 6 min, respectively. The highest yield from α-cellulose was 92.7% of the theoretical value. Steam explosion pretreatment of lespedeza stalks increased ethanol yields by a factor of 4.4, from 16.4% (untreated) to 72.8% (steam explosion pretreated).