Efficiency of dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment of distillery stillage in the production of cellulosic ethanol.

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine suitability of distillery stillage of various origins subjected to dilute sulfuric acidic pretreatment for production of cellulosic ethanol. Optimal conditions for dilute acid pretreatment of: rye and wheat distillery stillage 121 °C, 0.2 M H2SO4, 60 min; maize stillage 131 °C, 0.2 M H2SO4, 60 min. The highest efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis was achieved for rye and wheat stillage using 1 g of DW and the concentration of cellulolytic enzyme of 24% w/w, and for maize stillage 3 g of DW and enzyme concentration of 24% w/w. The use of rye and wheat stillage for production of ethanol does not require a detoxification process and enables full attenuation of glucose after 48 h of the process. However, the use of maize stillage as a raw material must be preceded by a detoxification process that guarantees a reduction of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural concentration in the fermentation medium.