Catalpa sawdust structures by four thermo-chemical pretreatments were compared.
Solubilization of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin were examined.
Optimal factors were 160 °C, 3 min and 1.75% (w/v) Ca(OH)2 for reducing sugar yield.
Thermo-Ca(OH)2 pretreatment is a promising method for catalpa sawdust enzymolysis.