In this work, four different process configurations, including three simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) schemes and one separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) scheme, were compared, at 8% water-insoluble solids, regarding ethanol production from steam-pretreated and alkali-delignified sugar cane bagasse. Two configurations included a 16 h lasting enzymatic presaccharification prior to SSF, and the third one was a classical SSF without presaccharification. Cellulose conversion was higher for the delignified bagasse, and higher in SSF experiments than in SHF. The highest cellulose-to-ethanol conversion (around 60% in 24 h) and maximum ethanol volumetric productivities (0.29-0.30 g/L.h) were achieved in the presaccharification-assisted SSF.
bagasse; hydrolysis; fermentation
