Microwave-assisted pretreatment using alkali metal salt in combination with orthophosphoric acid for generation of enhanced sugar and bioethanol

The microwave-assisted alkali salt (NaCl, MgCl2, and KCl) in combination with H3PO4 pretreatment of rice straw followed by enzymatic hydrolysis with in-house and commercial enzyme cocktail (cellulase and xylanase) was investigated. The effect of pretreatment on the structure and composition of RS was investigated using XRD and FTIR analysis, and the result suggested strategic structural changes in the RS structure. The maximum CrI of 51.3% was...