Acid hydrolysis of water hyacinth to obtain fermentable sugars

In order to take advantage of the aquatic weed water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) as lignocellulosic feedstock for the production of reducing sugars, a bromatological characterization of the leaves and stems of the plant was performed. Then, the effects of the sulfuric acid concentration (1 - 3% v/v), the concentration of solids (10 to 12.5% w/v) and the reaction time (15 - 25 min) at 121°C/15 psi in the production reducing sugars were studied by employing a central composite design. It was found that the acid concentration was the most significant variable. The optimal conditions were solids 11.25% p/v, H2SO4 2% v/v and 20 minute reaction time. These conditions yielded a concentration of reducing sugars of 33.3 g/L.