Enzymatic hydrolysis of steam exploded sunflower stalks to produce fermentable sugars

Renewable energy is defined as energy derived from natural biomaterials. In this context, to reduce the energy deficit and to minimize the environmental pollution, the use of renewable energy sources must increase. It is expected to diminish the dependence on fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum products and gas by substituting them by biomaterials. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of NaBH4 pretreatment on glucose conversion of sunflower stalks. In this study, sunflower stalks were steam exploded and then pretreated with NaBH4, NaOH and the mixtures of three different concentrations of these chemicals. The material then hydrolyzed with enzymes to convert polymers sugars to monomers. Results showed that SE+%2 NaBH4 pretreatment was the most effective method gave the higher glucose and xylose conversion (71.71% and 59.7%; 48 hours). On the other hand, steam explosion alone was the most effective method for removing the highest amount (21.2%) of lignin.