Effect of γ-irradiation pretreatment on cellulose degradation of corn stover and its implication for bioethanol production

The increasing global demand for renewable energy has driven research into sustainable bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass. This study evaluates the effect of gamma-irradiation doses (0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 kGy) on cellulose degradation in corn stover (stalk, husk, and cob), combined with 2 % NaOH pretreatment to enhance cellulose accessibility. Maximum glucose concentrations of 204.38 mM (stalk), 287.68 mM (husk), and 309.65 mM (cob) were achieved at 1000 kGy, showing increases of 45.6 %, 22.3 %, and 22.4 %, respectively, compared to non-irradiated controls. Notably, gamma-irradiation at 250 kGy resulted in a statistically significant 8 % increase in glucose content in corn cob. In contrast, higher doses were required to achieve significant enhancements in other biomass, with 500 kGy yielding a 36 % increase in corn stalk and an 18 % increase in corn husk. Surface morphological analysis revealed structural disruption in irradiated samples, facilitating enzymatic hydrolysis. These findings highlight gamma-irradiation as an effective alternative to conventional pretreatments, with the potential for enhancing bioethanol production efficiency.