Using low cellulase charges (8 FPU/g) and high liquid to solid ratios (28–30 g/g), a quantitative conversion of the glucan fraction can be reached in 48 h, although diluted solutions are produced.
However, operating at a cellulase to solid ratio of 12.5 FPU/g, a liquid to solid ratio of 12 g/g and a surfactant concentration of 0 g/L, 74 % of the glucan fraction and 67 % of the xylan fraction can be saccharified in 34 h, leading to solutions containing up to 27.8 g/L of glucose and 5.4 g/L of xylose.
The results demonstrated that this solid residue shows high enzymatic digestibility and that no pretreatments are needed to enhance the saccharification step. These advantages, along with its negative price, make this solid a valuable raw material for lactic acid production.