Optimization of the acid hydrolysis factors for obtaining glucose from banana, cacao, African palm, and sugarcane bagasse residues

Biomass is an alternative to provide energy sources that replace fossil fuels. The objective of this investigation is to optimize the conditions of the acid hydrolysis reaction for obtaining glucose from biomass: banana rachis, cacao pod, African palm rachis, and sugarcane bagasse. The conditions were evaluated through a 2k experimental design. The factors studied were temperature, time, and acid concentration; the minimum and maximum levels correspond to 70 to 120 ◦C, 20 to 150 min, and 1% to 5% v/v, respectively. In addition, two replicates were made to the center. The best conditions for obtaining glucose were: 120 ◦C, 150 min and 1% v/v sulfuric acid. Sugarcane bagasse and African palm rachis were the biomasses from which the highest glucose content was obtained, 9 936.48 and 7 745.14 mg/L, respectively. The influence of biomass composition on the amount of glucose obtained is discussed.