USE OF VINASSE IN THE PROCESS OF SACCHARIFICATION OF LIGNOCELLULOSIC BIOMASS

The present invention relates to the use of vinasse in the process of saccharification/fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass independently of the form the biomass is in and independently of the intended use for the final hydrolysed broth produced. More specifically, the present invention describes the beneficial effect that vinasse has on the process of saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass, since said vinasse has, among other features, the ability to act as a buffer in the reaction medium, particularly when such process occurs via an enzymatic route, but not limited to same, independently of the type of biomass that is being used and the type of pretreatment to which said biomass was submitted. The present invention further relates to fermentation processes, such as ethanol production, comprising the use of vinasse as a source of nutrients, for example nitrogen (N), for the growth of microorganisms, but not limited to same. The present invention is situated within the field of chemical engineering. La presente invención se refiere a un proceso de hidrólisis enzimática que comprende agregar vinaza como agente amortiguador a un medio de reacción conteniendo biomasa vegetal lignocelulósica, en donde dicha biomasa vegetal lignocelulósica es seleccionada de un grupo que consiste de bagazo de caña de azúcar, paja de caña de azúcar, y una mezcla de bagazo de caña de azúcar y paja de caña de azúcar, en donde la vinaza es agregada en una cantidad que varía, en porcentaje de masa (% peso/peso) de 30% a 60% y la cantidad de agua varía en porcentaje de masa (% peso/peso), de 70% a 40%, en donde se mantiene un intervalo de pH de 4.5 a 5.5.