| 20120064574 | METHOD FOR CONVERTING LIGNOCELLULOSIC BIOMASS - The present invention aims to develop a pretreatment technology for performing efficient saccharification without losing carbohydrates (in particular, free carbohydrates, starch, xylan, or the like) due to solid-liquid separation and washing steps, as a pretreatment for enzymatic saccharification of a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock (including a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock containing readily degradable carbohydrates). Provided are: a production method for a slurry to be used as a substrate for an enzymatic saccharification reaction, comprising: pulverizing an aerial part of a plant as a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock; preparing a slurry containing the biomass feedstock, calcium hydroxide, and water; subjecting the slurry to an alkali treatment; and neutralizing the slurry by introduction of and/or pressurization with carbon dioxide to decrease a pH to 5 to 7; an enzymatic saccharification method, comprising using, as a substrate, a slurry obtained by the production method for a slurry; and a production method for ethanol, comprising using, as a substrate, a saccharification product obtained by the enzymatic saccharification method. | 03-15-2012 |
