The present invention relates to an energy-efficient process for the treatment of plant biomass, particularly sugar cane, for the production of carbohydrates and ethanol, using physico-chemical and extraction techniques, as well as very simple milling configurations, thereby minimizing energy consumption during extraction of the cane juice. The biomass treated and obtained through this process, when subjected to a fermentation process for the production of ethanol, increases the yield of the process in comparison with that of traditional sugar cane. It can also be used for the production of enzymes, animal feedstuffs, and other useful products.

The present invention relates to an energy-efficient process for the treatment of plant biomass, particularly sugar cane, for the production of carbohydrates and ethanol, using physico-chemical and extraction techniques, as well as very simple milling configurations, thereby minimizing energy consumption during extraction of the cane juice. The biomass treated and obtained through this process, when subjected to a fermentation process for the production of ethanol, increases the yield of the process in comparison with that of traditional sugar cane. It can also be used for the production of enzymes, animal feedstuffs, and other useful products.

A method of recovering a sugar by separating a fermentation inhibitor and the sugar from a sugar solution containing the fermentation inhibitor, the method including: bringing the sugar solution containing the fermentation inhibitor into contact with a basic anion exchange resin filled into a column, followed by separation of the fermentation inhibitor and the sugar by a difference in retention time therebetween through use of water as an eluent, and separate recovery of a fraction containing the fermentation inhibitor and a fraction containing the sugar, wherein the basic anion exchange resin is previously treated with a solution containing the fermentation inhibitor.