FIG 1.

Identification and removal of p-benzoquinone (BQ) inhibitor in the pretreated lignocellulose feedstocks. (a) BQ content in the six different lignocellulose feedstocks after dry acid pretreatment, including the pretreated corn stover, corncob residue, wheat straw, rice straw, tobacco stem, and sunflower stem; (b) BQ removal from the pretreated corn stover by physical water washing, chemical alkali treatment, and biological detoxification. The alkali treatment was performed by elevating pH to 9.0 using NH₄OH for 1 h at 30°C and then reducing to 5.5 using H₂SO₄. The biodetoxification was performed by A. resinae ZN1 at 28°C, pH 5.5, for 3 to 7 days. Error bars represent two standard deviations.