Single-step microwave-assisted hot water extraction of hemicelluloses from selected lignocellulosic materials – A biorefinery approach

•Xylan extraction yields for aspenwood and sugarcane trash were significant.•Less than 7% monomeric xylose yield was obtained for both feedstocks.•Xylan extraction and cellulose digestibility were mainly influenced by temperature.•Enzymatic digestibility of both feedstocks was significantly improved.•Microwave-assisted hot water method as a viable biorefinery approach. The viability of single-step microwave-induced pressurized hot water conditions for co-production of xylan-based biopolymers and bioethanol from aspenwood sawdust and sugarcane trash was investigated. Extraction of hemicelluloses was conducted using microwave-assisted pressurized hot water system. The effects of temperature and time on extraction yield and enzymatic digestibility of resulting solids were determined. Temperatures between 170–200°C for aspenwood and 165–195°C for sugarcane trash; retention times between 8–22min for both feedstocks, were selected for optimization purpose. Maximum xylan extraction yields of 66 and 50%, and highest cellulose digestibilities of 78 and 74%, were attained for aspenwood and sugarcane trash respectively. Monomeric xylose yields for both feedstocks were below 7%, showing that the xylan extracts were predominantly in non-monomeric form. Thus, single-step microwave-assisted hot water method is viable biorefinery approach to extract xylan from lignocelluloses while rendering the solid residues sufficiently digestible for ethanol production.