Methods for improvement of enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellullosic material

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of enzymatic hydrolysis of a lignocellulosic material, comprising the steps of: a) pretreating the lignocellulosic material to obtain a slurry having a pH of less than 6; b) adding NaOH, Ca(OH)2 and/or CaO to the slurry to increase its pH to at least 8, said addition being carried out at a slurry temperature of at least 60 °C; c) reducing the pH of the slurry to below 7; and optionally cooling the slurry from step b) to a temperature below 60 °C; and d) adding hydrolytic enzymes to the slurry from c) and allowing the slurry to hydrolyze wherein no washing of the slurry is performed prior to step d)WO 2013/000696 A1, PCT/EP2012/061021</p