Evaluation of Alkaline Peroxide Pretreatment for Enhancing Reducing Sugar Yield and Lignin Removal in Wheat Straw and Spent Mushroom Substrate and its Impact on Alcohol Yield

This study investigates the effectiveness of alkaline peroxide pretreatment in enhancing reducing sugar yield and lignin removal from two lignocellulosic biomasses: wheat straw (WS) and spent mushroom substrate (SMS) derived from oyster mushroom cultivation. Pretreatment was conducted to improve the enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency and subsequent alcohol production potential. Both substrates were processed to a uniform particle size (0.82mm) and subjected to alkaline peroxide treatment. Reducing sugar concentrations were quantified using the DNS assay, while lignin content was determined via the acetyl bromide spectrophotometric method. Results revealed a significant increase in sugar yields post-pretreatment, with glucose levels rising to 127% in wheat straw and 137% in spent mushroom substrate, and xylose increasing to 115% and 128%, respectively. Concurrently, lignin content decreased markedly dropping to 53% in wheat straw and 62% in spent mushroom substrate demonstrating the efficacy of pretreatment in delignification. These enhancements suggest improved substrate accessibility and fermentation potential, indicating that alkaline peroxide pretreatment is a promising strategy for boosting bioethanol yields from agricultural waste biomass.