Optimization of alkali pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification of jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) biomass using response surface methodology

•Jute biomass with 66.6% cellulose and 19.4% lignin is suitable bioethanol feedstock.•Pretreatment and saccharification was optimized with response surface methodology.•Disrupted and loose structure of pretreated biomass revealed better quality.•Delignification (80.4%) and saccharification (76.5%) was obtained.