| abstract |
The present invention relates a process for treating a lignocellulosic material to render it amenable to biologically mediated transformation, said process comprising: i) providing a lignocellulosic material; ii) mixing said lignocellulosic material with an alkaline agent in the presence of water to form a reaction mixture having a solids content, said alkaline agent comprising a caustic magnesium salt; and, iii) heating said reaction mixture such that said solids are held at a temperature of from 130° C to 250°C for a time period of from 1 minute to 600 minutes. The caustic magnesium salt is preferentially selected from MgO, Mg (OH) 2, MgCO 3 , Mg (HCO 3 ) 2 and mixtures thereof. |