Enzymatic hydrolysis of cactus pear varieties with high solids loading for bioethanol production

•Enzymatic hydrolysis optimization (high solids loading) of cactus pear is proposed.•Cactus pear varieties doesn’t require chemical pretreatment and use of Tween 80.•Pectinase wasn’t a significant factor for enzymatic hydrolysis of the biomasses.•Enzymatic hydrolysates formed more than 60 g glucose/L (24 h) for both varieties.•Cactus pear is able to generate 2007–13,446 L ha−1 year−1 of ethanol. The optimization of enzymatic hydrolysis, with high solids loading, of two species of cactus pear for bioethanol production was tested evaluating the influence of surfactant Tween 80 and pretreatment with H2O and H2SO4 (1% v/v) (50 °C, 150 rpm, 3 h). XRD and FTIR analyzes were performed. Afterwards, the influence of the factors cellulase (FPU g−1), pectinase (U g−1) and solids load (% w/v), on the hydrolysis of varieties (50 °C, 150 rpm, 48 h), and the fermentation of the optimal point (33 °C, 8 h) were evaluated. The pretreatments and the Tween 80 did not increase the hydrolysis yields and Rotacional Central Compound Design indicated that the pectinase factor was not significant. The best cellulase and solids load conditions were 10 FPU g−1 of biomass and 30% w/v for both species. The fermentation efficiency of hydrolysates for Nopalea cochenillifera and Opuntia ficus-indica were 76.3% and 82.8%, respectively, showing their potential for bioethanol production.