Optimization of sono-assisted dilute sulfuric acid process for simultaneous pretreatment and saccharification of rice straw

In this study, sono-assisted dilute sulfuric acid process was evaluated for its viability of simultaneous pretreatment and saccharification of rice straw. Three critical factors for simultaneous pretreatment and saccharification process, such as sonication time (30–50 min), temperature (70–90 ^oC), and acid concentration (5–10 %), were optimized to maximize reducing sugar yield using Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology. The response surface methodology model was found to be adequately fitted to the obtained data. Simultaneous pretreatment and saccharification factors were optimized at sonication of 50 min, 80 ^oC and an acid concentration of 10 % yielding the maximum sugar content (31.78 g/100 g of biomass). Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the smooth surface of raw biomass was altered into a rough and porous surface as a result of sugar release, which showed the prospective feasibility of simultaneous pretreatment and saccharification process. This process integration may lead to develop economical bioethanol production facility. However, further research is required to make this process industrially viable.