Optimization of Dilute Acid Hydrolysis of Corn Stover for Separate Production of Xylose and Glucose by Response Surface Methodology

Dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment of corn stover was used to obtain a solution of high concentration of xylose from the hemicellulosic fraction and a relatively low concentration of glucose, which not only saved the hemicellulase but also made a full use of corn stover. Then the study considered the selectivity (xylose-glucose ratio) as an important parameter to optimize the hydrolysis conditions. The results optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) showed that the optimum conditions for pretreatment were found to be H2SO4 concentration of 2.4% and reaction time of 100min at 100°C. Under these conditions, 78.8% of xylose yield was achieved and the glucose yield was lower than 11.6%. To confirm these results, the optimum condition was performed and the actual results of xylose yield and glucose yield were 78% and 11.3%.