Pseudo-lignin retarded bioconversion of sugarcane bagasse holocellulose after liquid hot water and acid pretreatments

Pseudo-lignin derived from the condensation of carbohydrate degradation products can retard the bioconversion of lignocellulose. In this work, liquid hot water (150 to 190 °C) and 1% H2SO4 pretreatments (130 to 190 °C) were used on sugarcane bagasse holocellulose for 3 h to generate pseudo-lignin. The effects of pseudo-lignin generation on structural characteristics and bioconversion of substrates were evaluated. The results showed that the formation of pseudo-lignin increased the hydrophobicity of the substrates. After LHW pretreatments and acid pretreatments at low temperatures (