The aim of this study was to optimize the production of xylose from sugarcane bagasse. The hydrolysis process was carried out to evaluate the effect of temperature and sulphuric acid concentration on the xylose production at 18, 30, and 50 min of hydrolysis. A Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) was used to study two process variables, temperature (111.5; 114.0; 120.0; 126.0 and 128.5 ºC) and sulphuric acid concentration (0.20; 0.70; 1.90; 3.10 and 3.60% v v-1). Sulphuric acid had a greater influence on the hydrolysis process than temperature. At concentrations of sulphuric acid higher than 3.10% (v v-1), raising temperature had little influence on the yield of xylose production. The best condition to obtain xylose (266.73 mg g-1 of dry bagasse) was at 18 min of reaction, at 126 ºC and 3.10% (v v-1) of sulphuric acid, representing 96.0% of the theoretical maximum.
hemicellulose; hydrolysis; HPLC; aldopentose; renewable carbon source
