SUPERCRITICAL CARBON-DIOXIDE EXPLOSION AS A PRETREATMENT FOR CELLULOSE HYDROLYSIS

Cellulosic material Avicel was treated with supercritical carbon dioxi de to increase the reactivity of cellulose, thereby to enhance the rat e and the extent of cellulose hydrolysis. Upon an explosive release of the carbon dioxide pressure, the disruption of the cellulosic structu re increases the accessible surface area of the cellulosic substrate t o enzymatic hydrolysis. This explosion pretreatment enhances the rate of the Avicel hydrolysis as well as increases glucose yield by as much as 50%.