Effect of Metal ions on the Dilute Acid Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass

Economically feasible, sustainable and nonpolluting ways for ethanol production has become important due to limited petroleum supply and associated environmental consequences of burning fossil fuel. Three experimental lignocellulosic materials viz., Hyptis suaveolens, wheat straw and Ailanthus exelsa wood were taken to subject them to dilute acid pretreatment in presence of selected metals. Metals Zn and Ca were found general inhibitors of release of hemicellulosic sugars. A. exelsa wood was found to be more sensitive to metals in the release of hemicellulosic sugars during pretreatment by dilute acid method. Metals were also found to interfere with the utilization of sugar and ethanol fermentation by the yeast.