Figure 3
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) amplitude images. (a) Native sugarcane bagasse (b) Oxalic acid-pretreated bagasse (c) Enzyme hydrolysed bagasse. AFM scan revealed the cross linked cellulose + hemicellulose network in native SB. After OA pretreatment, non homogenous surface appeared with globular surface deposition (characteristic of lignin). AFM tip indicated affinity towards hydrophilic areas (192 nm) revealing the breakdown of cellulose.