Efficient degradation of solid residues from the diosgenin clean production industry to produce bioethanol

In this study, the degradation and bio-conversion of Dioscorea zingiberensis C. H. Wright solid residues (DZWSR) were performed. A large number of solid residues from Dioscorea zingiberensis C. H. Wright (DZW) are discarded or burned directly in the diosgenin industry, resulting in a serious waste of resources and environmental pollution. After dilute acid impregnation with low-pressure steam expansion (DALPSE), organic solvent extraction, enzyme hydrolysis, and other treatments, the hemicellulose degradation rate reached 94.71 %, the cellulose degradation rate increased to 88.29 %, and the fermentable sugar liquor was obtained. Compared with glucose fermentation, the ethanol yield by DZWSR hydrolysate fermentation was 83.93 %. It was found that DALPSE and the subsequent lignin extraction could break the lignocellulosic structure of DZWSR, which could effectively improve the accessibility of cellulose. This research will enhance the sustainability of the diosgenin industry and similar industries, and promote the resource utilization of biomass solid waste.