Comparison of different pretreatment methods to increase hydrogen production from cornstalk

Lignocellulosic biomass can be an ideal feedstock for fermentative hydrogen production if properly pretreated and hydrolyzed. In this research, to enhance hydrogen production from cornstalk, acid and alkali pretreatments were performed. Alkali pretreatment was conducted at 80°C for 60 min and room temperature for 7 days with the addition of 4% NaOH; acid pretreatments at 190°C, and 120°C for 10 min and 120 min, respectively, with the addition of 1.7% H2SO4. All the chemical components change of the substrates was detected. The highest lignin reduction of 75.6%, compared to untreated samples, was found at 80°C with 4% NaOH dosage. Under this pretreatment condition, highest increase in reducing sugar and hydrogen yield (up to 11.8 g/L and 71.8 ml/g-pretreated cornstalk) was obtained. The present results suggested an efficient pretreatment method to increase hydrogen production from lignocellulosic biomass.