(374l) Optimization of Guayule Biomass Pretreatment

Carbon dioxide explosion is used for pretreatment of guayule biomass. Effect of biomass loading is evaluated as well as co solvent effect. It is shown that a medium load of biomass will be most efficient while water content of 20% volumetric, can lead to 3 times more sugar concentration in further enzyme hydrolysis. Further experimentation shows that removal of residual rubber from biomass will lead to higher enzyme hydrolysis efficiency.