FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970) & THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10, rule 13)
1. Title of the invention: A CATALYST COMPOSITION FOR DELIGNIFICATION OF
BIOMASS, AND USES THEREOF
2. Applicant(s)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
HINDUSTAN PETROLEUM Indian Petroleum House, 17 Jamshedji
CORPORATION LIMITED Tata Road, Churchgate, Mumbai,
Maharashtra 400020, India
3. Preamble to the description
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed.

FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The present disclosure broadly relates to the field of biofuel, and particularly discloses a catalyst composition along with a process for delignification of a lignocellulosic biomass using the composition.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[002] The finite supply of fossil fuels and the severe impact on the environment caused by their excessive usage, has resulted in emerging interest in the development of biofuels. Biofuels provide an opportunity for all countries to become potentially self – sufficient in the pursuit of securing energy resources. It can be achieved due to the possibility of using locally grown resources for producing energy in an environmentally benign manner. They could also lead to greater economic development by way of creation of more jobs especially in the agricultural sector.
[003] Traditionally, biofuels refer to ethanol or butanol produced from sugarcane
or other products. But the focus has now shifted to using lignocellulosic biomass
such as agricultural and forest residues like rice straw, wheat straw, sugarcane
bagasse etc. These materials comprise a network of cellulose (~30-40%),
hemicellulose (~20-30%) and lignin (~15-20%) along with minor quantities of other substances like silica, ash, extractives etc. The production of ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass, mainly focusses on utilizing the cellulose component. However, the cellulose portion is protected by a highly cross-linked network of hemicellulose and lignin, which also serves to provide mechanical rigidity to the plant. The disruption of the hemicellulose and lignin network requires thermochemical treatment at high temperature and pressure. Usually pre-treatment with acids such as sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid etc. are used. This treatment leads to the near complete removal of hemicellulose and also the acid soluble fraction of lignin (ASL), which constitutes about 5% of the total lignin content of biomass. The disadvantage of this method is that, several molecules such as furfural, hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF), acetic acid etc. are also produced in

this reaction which severely inhibit the subsequent fermentation of the hydrolysate to ethanol by microorganisms.
[004] WO2009089439 discloses processes for delignifying lignocellulose-containing material, wherein the lignocellulose-containing material is treated with a delignification catalyst and a lignin solubilizing agent.
[005] US6103059 discloses process for modifying, breaking down or bleaching lignin, material containing lignin or like substances using oxidation catalysts and suitable oxidizing agents wherein these catalysts are used in combination with aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic or aromatic compounds containing specific groups as disclosed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016.
[007] In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016. [008] In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for preparing a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and (c) at least one additive, said process comprising: (i) obtaining at least one mineral acid; (ii) obtaining at least one Lewis acid; (iii) obtaining at least one additive; and (iv) contacting the at least one mineral acid, the at least one Lewis acid, and the at least one additive to obtain the catalyst composition, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016.

[009] In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for preparing a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive, said process comprising: (i) obtaining at least one mineral acid; (ii) obtaining at least one Lewis acid; (iii) obtaining at least one additive; and (iv) contacting the at least one mineral acid, the at least one Lewis acid, and the at least one additive to obtain the catalyst composition, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016.
[0010] In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) at least one mineral acid; (ii) at least one Lewis acid; and (iii) at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ -180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass.
[0011] In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) at least one mineral acid; (ii) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and (iii) at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ - 180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016. [0012] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present subject matter will be better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Those skilled in the art will be aware that the present disclosure is subject to
variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be
understood that the present disclosure includes all such variations and
modifications. The disclosure also includes all such steps, features, compositions,
and compounds referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or
collectively, and any and all combinations of any or more of such steps or features.
Definitions
[0014] For convenience, before further description of the present disclosure,
certain terms employed in the specification, and examples are delineated here.
These definitions should be read in the light of the remainder of the disclosure and
understood as by a person of skill in the art. The terms used herein have the
meanings recognized and known to those of skill in the art, however, for
convenience and completeness, particular terms and their meanings are set forth
below.
[0015] The articles “a”, “an” and “the” are used to refer to one or to more than one
(i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article.
[0016] The terms “comprise” and “comprising” are used in the inclusive, open
sense, meaning that additional elements may be included. It is not intended to be
construed as “consists of only”.
[0017] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise the
word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be
understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step or group of element or
steps but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of element or
steps.
[0018] The term “including” is used to mean “including but not limited to”.
“Including” and “including but not limited to” are used interchangeably.
[0019] For the purposes of the present document, the hydrolysis of polysaccharides
to soluble sugars is termed as saccharification. The terms ‘hydrolysis’ and
‘saccharification’ have been used interchangeably in the present document. The

lignocellulosic biomass is a biomass which is composed of carbohydrate polymers such as cellulose, and hemicellulose and an aromatic polymer – lignin.
[0020] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the disclosure, the preferred methods, and materials are now described. All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference.
[0021] A primary problem faced by using the conventional procedures of delignifying a lignocellulosic biomass is the generation of several molecules like furfural, hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF), and acetic acid. The aforementioned molecules inhibit the subsequent fermentation of obtained hydrolysate (after treatment using a catalyst) to ethanol by microorganisms, rendering the delignification process less efficient for generating biofuel. The present disclosure discloses a catalyst composition comprising a combination of a mineral acid, Lewis acid and a polyol compound along with a novel pre-treatment process named 2G-ASAP (Assisted Single step Acid Pre-treatment) using the catalyst, for the near complete removal of hemicellulose and partial removal of lignin. Key advantages of this process lie in its ability to generate minimal amount of fermentation inhibitors in the C5 sugar rich hydrolysate due to which the hydrolysate can directly be fermented in an enhanced manner. In addition, the solids produced using the process are amenable to enzymatic saccharification with around 70% hydrolysis being achieved in 48 hours of enzymatic reaction. The enzymatic hydrolysate rich in C6 sugars, generated through this process is fermentable. Through this process, there is a substantial minimization in terms of chemical, water and energy usage required for biomass pre-treatment as this is a single step process.
[0022] The present disclosure discloses a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and (c) at least one additive. The at least one mineral acid is selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid

and nitric acid. The at least one acidic component is selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof. The Lewis acid is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, trimethyl aluminium, trialkyl borate, aluminium trichloride, and boron trifluoride. The at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of polyol, surfactants, and combinations thereof.
[0023] The present disclosure discloses a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive. The at least one mineral acid is selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid and nitric acid. The at least one Lewis acid is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, trimethyl aluminium, trialkyl borate, aluminium trichloride, and boron trifluoride. The at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of polyol, surfactants, and combinations thereof.
[0024] The present disclosure further discloses a process for delignifiying a lignocellulose-rich biomass using the catalyst as disclosed herein. The process includes incubating the catalyst and the biomass at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ - 180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass. The process leads to removal of 40%-60% lignin from the lignocellulosic biomass. The process also leads to a decrease in the production of the inhibitor molecules (furfural, HMF, and acetic acid) as can be evidenced by enhanced saccharification of the hydrolysate.
[0025] The present disclosure is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein, which are intended for the purposes of exemplification only. Functionally-equivalent products, compositions, and methods are clearly within the scope of the disclosure, as described herein. [0026] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8

to 1:0.016. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:6 to 1:0.4. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:2 to 1:0.5.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one acidic component is phenol.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one acidic component is guaiacol.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one acidic component is a combination of phenol and guaiacol.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016. [0031] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one

additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:6 to 1:0.4. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:2 to 1:0.5. [0032] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one mineral acid is selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid and combinations thereof. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one mineral acid is sulfuric acid.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one Lewis acid is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, trimethyl aluminium, trialkyl borate, aluminium trichloride, boron trifluoride and combinations thereof. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one Lewis acid is boric acid.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of polyol, surfactants, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one additive is polyol. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one additive is surfactant.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and

wherein the at least one mineral acid is selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid and combinations thereof, the at least one Lewis acid is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, trimethyl aluminium, trialkyl borate, aluminium trichloride, boron trifluoride and combinations thereof, and the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of polyol, surfactants, and combinations thereof.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of polyol, surfactants, and combinations thereof, and wherein the polyol is selected from the group consisting of glycerol, PEG 400, ethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the polyol is glycerol. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the polyol is PEG 400.
[0037] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of polyol, surfactants, and combinations thereof, and wherein the surfactants is selected from the group consisting of Tween 80, Tween 20, Triton X100, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the surfactant is Tween 80.
[0038] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) sulphuric acid; (b) boric acid; and (c) glycerol, wherein the sulfuric acid to glycerol w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016.

[0039] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) sulphuric acid (b) boric acid; and (c) PEG 400, wherein sulfuric acid to PEG 400 w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) sulfuric acid; (b) boric acid; and (c) Tween 80, wherein sulfuric acid to Tween 80 w/w ratio is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016. [0041] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one mineral acid is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5% - 3% with respect to the composition, the at least one Lewis acid is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5% - 4% with respect to the composition, and the at least one additive is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5% - 4% with respect to the composition.
[0042] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one mineral acid is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.75% - 2% with respect to the composition, the at least one Lewis acid is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.75% - 3% with respect to the composition, and the at least one additive is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5% - 2% with respect to the composition.
[0043] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one mineral acid is having a weight percentage of 0.75% with respect to the composition, the at least one Lewis acid is having a weight

percentage of 1% with respect to the composition, and the at least one additive is having a weight percentage of 0.5% with respect to the composition.
[0044] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) sulfuric acid; (b) boric acid; and (c) Tween 80, wherein sulfuric acid to Tween 80 w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein sulfuric acid is having a weight percentage of 0.75% with respect to the composition, boric acid is having a weight percentage of 1% with respect to the composition, and Tween 80 is having a weight percentage of 0.5% with respect to the composition.
[0045] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) sulfuric acid; (b) boric acid; and (c) glycerol, wherein sulfuric acid to glycerol 80 w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein sulfuric acid is having a weight percentage of 0.75% with respect to the composition, boric acid is having a weight percentage of 1% with respect to the composition, and glycerol is having a weight percentage of 0.5% with respect to the composition.
[0046] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) sulfuric acid; (b) boric acid; and (c) PEG 400, wherein sulfuric acid to PEG 400 w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein sulfuric acid is having a weight percentage of 0.75% with respect to the composition, boric acid is having a weight percentage of 1% with respect to the composition, and PEG 400 is having a weight percentage of 0.5% with respect to the composition.
[0047] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one Lewis acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.125. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one Lewis acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:4 to 1:0.250. In yet another embodiment of the

present disclosure, the at least one Lewis acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:2 to 1:0.30.
[0048] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one Lewis acid w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one mineral acid to the at least one Lewis acid w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:4 to 1:0.50. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one mineral acid to the at least one Lewis acid w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:3 to 1:1.
[0049] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one Lewis acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.125, and wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one Lewis acid w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016.
[0050] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one mineral acid is selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, and combinations thereof.
[0051] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and

combinations thereof; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one Lewis acid is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, trimethyl aluminium, trialkyl borate, aluminium trichloride, boron trifluoride, and combinations thereof.
[0052] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one mineral acid is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5% - 3% with respect to the composition, the at least one acidic component is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5% - 4% with respect to the composition, and the at least one additive is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5% - 4% with respect to the composition. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one mineral acid is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.7% - 2% with respect to the composition, the at least one acidic component is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5% - 2% with respect to the composition, and the at least one additive is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5% - 2% with respect to the composition.
[0053] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one acidic component to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.125, and the at least one mineral acid to the at least one acidic component w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:4 to 1:0.2, and the at least one acidic component to

the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:4 to 1:0.250, and the at least one mineral acid to the at least one acidic component w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:4 to 1:0.5. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:2 to 1:0.5, and the at least one acidic component to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:2 to 1:0.3, and the at least one mineral acid to the at least one acidic component w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:2 to 1:1.
[0054] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of polyol, surfactants, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the polyol is selected from the group consisting of glycerol, PEG 400, ethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, and combinations thereof, and the surfactants is selected from the group consisting of Tween 80, Tween 20, Triton X100, and combinations thereof.
[0055] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for preparing a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and (c) at least one additive, said process comprising: (i) obtaining at least one mineral acid; (ii) obtaining at least one Lewis acid; (iii) obtaining at least one additive; and (iv) contacting the at least one mineral acid, the at least one Lewis acid, and the at least one additive to obtain the catalyst composition, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016. [0056] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for preparing a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol,

guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and (c) at least one additive, said process comprising: (i) obtaining at least one mineral acid; (ii) obtaining at least one Lewis acid; (iii) obtaining at least one additive; and (iv) contacting the at least one mineral acid, the at least one Lewis acid, and the at least one additive to obtain the catalyst composition, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one acidic component to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.125, and wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one acidic component w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016.
[0057] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for preparing a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and (c) at least one additive, said process comprising: (i) obtaining at least one mineral acid; (ii) obtaining at least one Lewis acid; (iii) obtaining at least one additive; and (iv) contacting the at least one mineral acid, the at least one Lewis acid, and the at least one additive to obtain the catalyst composition, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one mineral acid is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5% - 3% with respect to the composition, the at least one acidic component is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5% - 4% with respect to the composition, and the at least one additive is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5% - 4% with respect to the composition.
[0058] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) at least one mineral acid; (ii) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and (iii) at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120°C - 180°C for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain

a delignified biomass, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one acidic component is phenol. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one acidic component is guaiacol. In an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one acidic component is a combination of phenol and guaiacol. [0059] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) at least one mineral acid; (ii) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and (iii) at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ - 180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one mineral acid is selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid and combinations thereof, and wherein the at least one Lewis acid is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, trimethyl aluminium, trialkyl borate, aluminium trichloride, boron trifluoride and combinations thereof, and wherein the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of polyol, surfactants, and combinations thereof.
[0060] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) sulfuric acid; (ii) phenol; and (iii) glycerol, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ - 180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 -30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the catalyst composition comprises sulfuric acid having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-3% with respect to the composition; phenol having a weight percentage in the range of

0.5%-4% with respect to the composition; glycerol having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-4% with respect to the composition.
[0061] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) sulfuric acid; (ii) guaiacol; and (iii) glycerol, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ - 180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the catalyst composition comprises sulfuric acid having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-3% with respect to the composition; guaiacol having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-4% with respect to the composition; glycerol having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-4% with respect to the composition.
[0062] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) sulfuric acid; (ii) guaiacol; (iii) phenol; and (iv) glycerol, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120°C - 180°C for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the catalyst composition comprises sulfuric acid having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-3% with respect to the composition; guaiacol and phenol having a combined weight percentage in the range of 1%-8% with respect to the composition; and glycerol having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-4% with respect to the composition.
[0063] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for preparing a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive, said process comprising: (i) obtaining at least one mineral acid; (ii) obtaining at least one Lewis acid; (iii) obtaining at least one additive; and (iv) contacting the at least one mineral acid, the at least one Lewis acid, and the at least one additive to obtain the catalyst composition, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016.

[0064] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for preparing a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive, said process comprising: (i) obtaining at least one mineral acid; (ii) obtaining at least one Lewis acid; (iii) obtaining at least one additive; and (iv) contacting the at least one mineral acid, the at least one Lewis acid, and the at least one additive to obtain the catalyst composition, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one Lewis acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.125, and wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one Lewis acid w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016. [0065] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for preparing a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive, said process comprising: (i) obtaining at least one mineral acid; (ii) obtaining at least one Lewis acid; (iii) obtaining at least one additive; and (iv) contacting the at least one mineral acid, the at least one Lewis acid, and the at least one additive to obtain the catalyst composition, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one mineral acid is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5% - 3% with respect to the composition, the at least one Lewis acid is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5% - 4% with respect to the composition, and the at least one additive is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5% - 4% with respect to the composition.
[0066] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for preparing a catalyst composition comprising: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one Lewis acid; and (c) at least one additive, said process comprising: (i) obtaining at least one mineral acid; (ii) obtaining at least one Lewis acid; (iii) obtaining at least one additive; and (iv) contacting the at least one mineral acid, the at least one Lewis acid, and the at least one additive to obtain the catalyst composition, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w

ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the at least one mineral acid is selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid and combinations thereof, and wherein the at least one Lewis acid is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, trimethyl aluminium, trialkyl borate, aluminium trichloride, boron trifluoride and combinations thereof, and wherein the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of polyol, surfactants, and combinations thereof. [0067] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) at least one mineral acid; (ii) at least one Lewis acid; and (iii) at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ -180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass.
[0068] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) at least one mineral acid; (ii) at least one Lewis acid; and (iii) at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ -180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the at least one mineral acid is selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, and combinations thereof, the at least one Lewis acid is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, trimethyl aluminium, trialkyl borate, aluminium trichloride, boron trifluoride and combinations thereof, and the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of polyol, surfactants, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the polyol is selected from the group consisting of glycerol, PEG 400, ethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, and combinations thereof, and the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of Tween 80, Tween 20, Triton X100, and combinations thereof, and wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is

in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, the at least one Lewis acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.125, and the at least one mineral acid to the at least one Lewis acid w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016.
[0069] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) at least one mineral acid; (ii) at least one Lewis acid; and (iii) at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ -180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the catalyst composition comprises at least one mineral acid having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-3% with respect to the composition; at least one Lewis acid having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-4% with respect to the composition; and at least one additive having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-4% with respect to the composition, and wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016.
[0070] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) sulfuric acid; (ii) boric acid; and (iii) glycerol, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ - 180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the catalyst composition comprises sulfuric acid having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-3% with respect to the composition; boric acid having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-4% with respect to the composition; glycerol having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-4% with respect to the composition.
[0071] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) sulfuric acid; (ii) boric acid; and (iii) PEG 400, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the

mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ - 180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the catalyst composition comprises sulfuric acid having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-3% with respect to the composition; boric acid having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-4% with respect to the composition; PEG 400 having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-4% with respect to the composition. [0072] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) sulfuric acid; (ii) boric acid; and (iii) Tween 80, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ - 180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the catalyst composition comprises sulfuric acid having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-3% with respect to the composition; boric acid having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-4% with respect to the composition; Tween 80 having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-4% with respect to the composition. [0073] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) at least one mineral acid; (ii) at least one Lewis acid; and (iii) at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ -180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the catalyst composition comprises at least one mineral acid having a weight percentage in the range of 0.75%-2% with respect to the composition; at least one Lewis acid having a weight percentage in the range of 0.75%-3% with respect to the composition; and at least one additive having a weight percentage in the range of 1.5%-3% with respect to the composition. [0074] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) at least one mineral acid; (ii) at least one Lewis acid; and (iii) at least one additive, to obtain a

mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120°C -180°C for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, the at least one Lewis acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.125, and the at least one mineral acid to the at least one Lewis acid w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, incubating the mixture is at a temperature in the range of 140 ℃ - 160 ℃ for a time period in the range of 20 - 25 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass.
[0075] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) at least one mineral acid; (ii) at least one Lewis acid; and (iii) at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ -180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:6 to 1:0.4, the at least one Lewis acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:6 to 1:0.4, and the at least one mineral acid to the at least one Lewis acid w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:6 to 1:1.
[0076] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) at least one mineral acid; (ii) at least one Lewis acid; and (iii) at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ -180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein incubating the mixture is at a pressure in the range of 3-10 bar. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, incubating the mixture is at a pressure in the range of 5-8 bar.

[0077] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) at least one mineral acid; (ii) at least one Lewis acid; and (iii) at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120°C -180°C for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the lignocellulosic biomass and the catalyst composition has a w/v ratio in said mixture in the range of 1:8 to 1:2.5. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the lignocellulosic biomass and the catalyst composition has a w/v ratio in said mixture in the range of 1:6 to 1:4.5.
[0078] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) at least one mineral acid; (ii) at least one Lewis acid; and (iii) at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ -180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the process leads to removal of 40%-60% lignin from the lignocellulosic biomass. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the process leads to removal of 45%-55% lignin from the lignocellulosic biomass.
[0079] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) at least one mineral acid; (ii) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and (iii) at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ - 180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one

additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the process leads to removal of 75-95% hemicellulose from the lignocellulosic biomass, and the delignified biomass is subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis treatment, and wherein the hydrolysis treatment leads to 70%-85% hydrolysis of the pre-treated biomass in a time period in the range of 45-55 hours of the hydrolysis treatment.
[0080] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) at least one mineral acid; (ii) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and (iii) at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ - 180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the delignified biomass in amenable to fermentation. [0081] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) at least one mineral acid; (ii) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and (iii) at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ - 180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, and wherein the process leads to removal of 40%-60% lignin from the lignocellulosic biomass. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the process leads to removal of 45%-55% lignin from the lignocellulosic biomass. [0082] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) at least one

mineral acid; (ii) at least one Lewis acid; and (iii) at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120°C -180°C for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the catalyst composition is used for delignification of a lignocellulosic biomass.
[0083] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) at least one mineral acid; (ii) at least one Lewis acid; and (iii) at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ -180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the process leads to removal of 75-95% hemicellulose from the lignocellulosic biomass.
[0084] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) at least one mineral acid; (ii) at least one Lewis acid; and (iii) at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ -180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the delignified biomass is subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis treatment, and wherein the hydrolysis treatment leads to 70%-85% hydrolysis of the pre-treated biomass in a time period in the range of 45-55 hours of the hydrolysis treatment.
[0085] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising: (a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising: (i) at least one mineral acid; (ii) at least one Lewis acid; and (iii) at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and (b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120°C -180°C for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass, wherein the delignified biomass in amenable to fermentation.

[0086] Although the subject matter has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain examples and implementations thereof, other implementations are possible.
EXAMPLES
[0087] The disclosure will now be illustrated with working examples, which is intended to illustrate the working of disclosure and not intended to take restrictively to imply any limitations on the scope of the present disclosure. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the disclosed methods and compositions, the exemplary methods, devices and materials are described herein. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods, and experimental conditions described, as such methods and conditions may apply. [0088] The examples as described herein, assert the utility of the catalyst composition as disclosed in the document. Also, process of delignification as disclosed in the document has been depicted resulting in enhanced delignification as well as enhanced saccharification (hydrolysis) of the biomass obtained after the treatment with the catalyst composition. Enhanced delignification has to be considered along with the ability of the process to enhance saccharification, because the delignification will be helpful only if it allows enhanced lysis of cellulose of the biomass. In view of the same, Example 1 deals with the delignification efficiency of the process and Example 2 highlights the enhanced lysis achieved due to the increased delignification obtained by using the process as disclosed herein. The Example 3 depicts the significance of using the additives as disclosed herein for the purpose of delignification and hydrolysis of the pre-treated biomass. The Example 4 narrate a few non-working examples which include the use of alternate additives different from those as disclosed in the present disclosure. For the sake of clarity, a number has been assigned to every type of pre-treatment

mentioned in the Example section. The pre-treatment type with a specific assigned number has been kept uniform throughout the section.
Example 1
Comparison of delignification efficiency
[0089] The present example compares the delignification efficiency of the present process with the conventional process. Also, efficiency of the process using alternate mineral acid has been depicted along with the efficiency of using different weight percentages of Lewis acid.
[0090] Catalyst composition of the present disclosure: The catalyst composition as disclosed in the present disclosure comprises: (a) at least one mineral acid; (b) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; (c) at least one additive. The Lewis acid can be selected from a group consisting of boric acid, trimethyl aluminium, trialkyl borate, aluminium trichloride, boron trifluoride, and combinations thereof. The at least one mineral acid can be selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, and combinations thereof. The at least one additive can be selected from the group consisting of polyol, surfactants, and combinations thereof. The at least one mineral acid has a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-3% with respect to the composition. The at least one acidic component has a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-4% with respect to the composition; and at least one additive having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-4% with respect to the composition.
[0091] Delignification process of the present disclosure: Rice straw was considered as a representative lignocellulosic biomass. The catalyst composition comprising mineral acid (0.75% with respect to the composition), acidic component (Lewis acid 1% with respect to the composition), and additive (0.5% with respect to the composition) was considered for the delignification process. Rice straw (100g) was taken in water containing the catalyst as mentioned above with the specified weight percentages in a solid: liquid ratio of 1:5 to obtain a mixture. The mixture was

incubated at 150°C for 20 minutes under 3-10 bar pressure, and the incubation was carried out in a high-pressure batch reactor of 1L capacity. After the incubation period, the solids in the mixture were washed and its composition was estimated as per standard NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) protocols. [0092] Table 1 depicts the delignification efficiency using the catalyst of the present disclosure following the disclosed process. Also, the delignification efficiency of different catalyst composition has been compared with that of the composition and process as disclosed herein. Table 1: Delignification efficiency

Pre-Treatment Type Catalyst Cellulose
recovery
(%) Hemicelluloses removal (%) Delignification (%)
1 0.75% acid 95 81 16
2 0.75% acid+ 1% Lewis acid 91 92 44
3 0.75% acid +
1% Lewis acid
+ 0.5%
additive 85 - 90 93 40 - 45
[0093] Referring to Table 1 and Table 2, acid refers to at least one mineral acid selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, and combinations thereof. The pre-treatment types 1-3 specifically depicts the use of sulfuric acid. The pre-treatment types 2 and 3 depicts the use of Lewis acid as an acidic component. Lewis acid refers to at least one Lewis acid selected from the group consisting of boric acid, trimethyl aluminium, trialkyl borate, aluminium trichloride, boron trifluoride, and combinations thereof. The pre-treatment types 1-3 specifically depicts the use of boric acid as a Lewis acid. Additive refers to at least one additive selected from the group consisting of polyol, surfactants, and combinations thereof. The pre-treatment type 3 depicts the use of glycerol.
[0094] Pre-treatment 1 refers to the delignification process done using only 0.75% acid. It can be appreciated that using only 0.75% acid for the pre-treatment of rice

straw, only 16% delignification is achieved. Pre-treatment 2 refers to the delignification process done using 0.75% acid and 1% Lewis acid, and it can be appreciated that using the catalyst composition 44% delignification is observed. Pre-treatment 3 refers to the delignification process done using the catalyst composition of the present disclosure comprising 0.75% acid, 1% Lewis acid and 0.5% additive. It can be observed that delignification in the range of 40-45% is obtained using the composition of the instant disclosure. The delignification was also assessed by treating biomass with a catalyst composition comprising alternate mineral acid like phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and hydrochloric acid (HCl). It was observed that using a catalyst (0.75% H3PO4 + 1% Lewis acid), only 22% delignification was achieved (data not shown in Table 1). The pre-treatment using 0.75% HCl + 1% Lewis acid led to delignification of 36% (data not shown in Table 1) in the biomass. In both the above-mentioned delignification processes, the acidic component is Lewis acid, and said Lewis acid is boric acid. Thus, it can be concluded that sulphuric acid is the most effective mineral acid for achieving significant delignification using the present process followed by hydrochloric acid which provides satisfactory results.
[0095] It was further established that 1% of Lewis acid is the ideal concentration to be used in the catalyst, because delignification of only 16% was achieved using a catalyst comprising 0.75% H2SO4 + 0.5% Lewis acid. Similarly, the percentage of delignification starts to decrease gradually as the concentration is increased beyond 1% (data not shown).
[0096] Referring to the Table 1, pre-treatments 2 and 3 provide higher delignification efficiency as compared to pre-treatment 1. The pre-treatments 2 and 3 are comparable in terms of delignification efficiency. The lysis of the pre-treated hydrolysate was performed and depicted in Example 2 to compare the efficiency of lysis of the hydrolysate by enzymes to produce biofuels.
Example 2
Comparison of saccharification efficiency

[0097] The present example compares the saccharification (hydrolysis) efficiency facilitated by the pre-treatment method of the present invention with the conventional pre-treatment methods. The enhanced saccharification along with enhanced delignification efficiency was considered as best parameter for establishing the best pre-treatment process.
[0098] Hydrolysis treatment of the biomass: The delignification process as described in Example 1 constitutes the pre-treatment step. Post this pre-treatment step, the obtained biomass was treated with cellulase enzymes, such as, commercially available SacchariSEB C6L (Advanced Enzymes) at a dosage of 20 FPU/g biomass in a standard glass reactor at 10%-15% w/v solid loading. The operating conditions were maintained at pH 4.8, temperature 50°C at a continuous agitation of 150 rpm for a duration of 48 hours. The sugars released were estimated using standard DNS (dinitrosalicylic acid) assay (Ghose et al., Pure and Applied Chemistry, 59 (2):257 – 268, 1987). The hydrolysis percentage after the treatment was calculated based on the quantification of the sugars released after this step. [0099] Table 2 depicts the hydrolysis percentage for establishing the saccharification obtained post using different pre-treatment methods as depicted in Table 1. Table 2: Hydrolysis efficiency

Pre-Treatment Type Catalyst Cellulose
recovery
(%) Hemicellul
oses
removal
(%) Delignifica tion (%) Hydrolysis (%)
1 0.75% Acid 95 81 16 49
2 0.75% Acid + 1% Lewis acid 91 92 44 62
3 0.75% Acid + 1% Lewis acid
+ 0.5% 85 - 90 93 40 - 45 70

additive
[00100] Referring to Table 2, it is observed that hydrolysis efficiency is only 49% in case of pre-treatment 1, and 62% in case of pre-treatment 2. The hydrolysis efficiency is highest – 70% in the case of pre-treatment 3 which represents the catalyst composition of the present disclosure.
[00101] Therefore, it can be ascertained that the catalyst composition of the present disclosure performs best in terms of delignification and facilitates the subsequent hydrolysis of the pre-treated biomass by enzymes. Thus, the catalyst composition followed by the present pre-treatment process results in desirable pre-treated biomass which upon treatment with enzymes leads to enhanced hydrolysis as compared to the conventional pre-treatment process.
Example 3
Pre-treatment processes using catalyst compositions comprising different
additives
[00102] The present example depicts the efficiency of pre-treatment process done
using catalyst compositions comprising alternate additives as disclosed in the
present disclosure.
[00103] Table 3 depicts the delignification and hydrolysis efficiency of the catalyst
compositions comprising alternate additives.
Table 3: Delignification and hydrolysis efficiency of different catalyst
compositions

Pre- Catalyst Cellulose Hemicellul Delignifica Hydrolysis
Treatment recovery oses tion (%) (%)
Type (%) removal (%)
3 0.75% acid + 1%
Lewis acid + 0.5% additive 85 - 90 93 40 - 45 70
4 0.75% acid 88 92 41 85

+ 1%
Lewis acid
+ 0.5%
PEG400
5 0.75% acid
+ 1% Lewis acid
+ 0.5% Tween 80 89 90 42 81
[00104] Referring to Table 3, acid refers to at least one mineral acid selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, and combinations thereof. The pre-treatments 3, 4 and 5 depicts the use of sulfuric acid. Lewis acid (acidic component) refers to at least one Lewis acid selected from the group consisting of boric acid, trimethyl aluminium, trialkyl borate, aluminium trichloride, boron trifluoride, and combinations thereof. The pre-treatment types 3, 4 and 5 specifically depicts the use of boric acid. Pre-treatment 4 comprises using 0.5% PEG 400 along with 0.75% acid + 1% Lewis acid, and pre-treatment 5 comprises using Tween 80 along with 0.75% acid + 1% Lewis acid. It can be appreciated that pre-treatment 4 and 5 display 85% and 81% hydrolysis. As can be inferred from Table 2 and 3, the catalyst of the present disclosure performs better than the conventional catalyst, and the pre-treatment process performed using PEG400 as an additive gives the best result in terms of hydrolysis of the biomass obtained after the pre-treatment. The efficient hydrolysis in the range of 70-85% is achieved in 48 hours at a high solid loading of 10-15% w/v.
Example 4
Examples using an acidic component different from Lewis acid
[00105] The present example depicts the pre-treatment method using
catalysts having an acidic component other than Lewis acid. The pre-treatment
methods 13, 14, and 15 depicts phenol, guaiacol, and a combination of phenol and
guaiacol, respectively, as an acidic component.
Table 4: Delignification efficiency of different pre-treatment

Pre-Treatment Type Catalyst Cellulose
recovery
(%) Hemicelluloses removal (%) Delignification (%)
1 0.75% acid 95 81 16
2 0.75% acid+ 1% Lewis acid 91 92 44
3 0.75% acid + 1% Lewis acid + 0.5% additive 85 - 90 93 40 - 45
13 0.75% acid + 1% phenol + 0.5% additive 85 - 90 93 40 - 45
14 0.75% acid + 1% guaiacol + 0.5% additive 85 - 90 90 40 - 45
15 0.75% acid +
0.5% phenol +
0.5% guaiacol +
0.5% additive 85 - 90 93 40 - 45
[00106] The pre-treatment types 1, 2, and 3 refers to the same pre-treatment types as depicted in Examples 1 and 2. The process of delignification also remains same as explained in Example 1. The acid mentioned in pre-treatment types 13-15 refers to mineral acid selected from a group consisting of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, and combinations thereof. Specifically, the mineral acid used in pre-treatment types 11, 12 and 13 is sulfuric acid. The pre-treatment types 11, 12, and 13 uses glycerol as an additive. As can be observed from Table 4, the pre-treatment types using catalyst compositions comprising either phenol, or guaiacol, or a combination of phenol and guaiacol gives results at par with the catalyst composition of pre-treatment type 3. Therefore, it can be interpreted that pre-treatment of a lignocellulosic biomass using any of the acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof provides a similar effect in de-lignification.

Example 5
Lignocellulosic biomass pre-conditioning
[00107] The process of pre-treatment as disclosed in the Example 1 did not involve any pre-conditioning step with the lignocellulosic biomass (rice straw). The present example discloses a few examples of pre-conditioning that can be done in order to improve the reactor loading.
[00108] The rice straw biomass (size of 2-3 cm) was subjected to steam/enzyme-based preconditioning before considering it for the pre-treatment;
[00109] a) Steam preconditioning- The biomass was pre-mixed with the respective catalyst solution maintaining solid to liquid ratio of 1:5 (20% w/v) and the catalyst mixed solids were subjected to steaming at 120 ± 2 °C for 20 min; [00110] b) Enzyme-based preconditioning- The biomass was mixed with xylanase enzyme at a load of 40 IUg-1 of dried solids (the solid to liquid ratio was maintained at 1: 4). The enzyme mixed biomass was kept for constant mixing (~50 RPM) in a temperature controlled (50-60 °C) horizontal ribbon blender. The duration of enzyme-based preconditioning was ~2 hours.
[00111] The solids and the liquid leachate obtained after steam and enzyme preconditioning were analyzed for their chemical composition (Table 5) by standard NREL protocols. It can be observed from Table 5 that the composition of the biomass did not change significantly because of the pre-conditioning steps. This ascertains that the pre-conditioning step is for the purpose of enhancing biomass loading in the pre-treatment reactor, thereby leading to lower operating costs at a larger commercial scale. In case of pre-conditioning, the reactor loading was enhanced from 10 % to 15 % with the present preconditioning procedures. Table 5: Compositional analysis of solids and liquids obtained from pre¬conditioning of the rice straw

Component Steam pre-conditioned solids Enzyme pre-conditioned solids
xylan (%w/w) 14.2 17.9

arabinan (%w/w) 0.9 1.5
glucan (%w/w) 43.1 41.8
acid soluble lignin (%w/w) 2.4 2.5
acid insoluble lignin (%w/w) 14.1 13.2
Example 4
Non-working examples
[00112] The present example displays the effect of using different catalyst
compositions than as disclosed in the present disclosure. The present example
depicts the use of different salts as additives apart from the Lewis acid and mineral
acid as part of the catalyst compositions.
Table 6 depicts the use of different catalyst compositions:

Pre- Catalyst Cellulos Hemicellulose Delignificatio Hydrolysi
Treatmen e s removal (%) n (%) s (%)
t Type recovery (%)
3 0.75%
acid +
1%
Lewis
acid +
0.5%
additive 85 - 90 93 40 - 45 70
6 0.75% acid + 1% Lewis acid + 0.1%
NiCl2 87 70 34 NP
7 0.75% acid + 1% Lewis 92 64 22 NP

acid +
0.1%
EDTA
8 0.75% acid + 1% Lewis acid + 0.1%
MgSO4 88 60 21 NP
9 0.75% acid + 1% Lewis acid + 0.1%
ZnSO4 86 67 25 NP
10 0.75% acid + 1% Lewis acid + 0.1%
FeCl3 89 64 32 NP
11 0.75% acid + 1% Lewis acid + 0.1%
CoCl2 87 68 31 NP
12 0.75%
acid +
1%
Lewis
acid +
0.1%
NaMoO
4 91 53 22 NP

‘NP’ – Not Performed
[00113] Referring to Table 6, acid refers to at least one mineral acid selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, and combinations thereof. The pre-treatments 3, and 6-12 depicts the use of sulfuric acid. Lewis acid refers to at least one Lewis acid selected from the group consisting of boric acid, trimethyl aluminium, trialkyl borate, aluminium trichloride, boron trifluoride, and combinations thereof. The pre-treatments 3, and 6-12 specifically depicts the use of boric acid.
[00114] The pre-treatment type 3 is the catalyst composition and the process for delignification of a lignocellulosic biomass is as disclosed in the present disclosure. The pre-treatment types 6-12 refer to the catalyst composition comprising different additives apart from the one disclosed in the present disclosure. The pre-treatment types 6-12 involves 0.1% NiCl2, 0.1% EDTA, 0.1% MgSO4, 0.1% ZnSO4, 0.1% FeCl3, 0.1% CoCl2, and 0.1% NaMoO4 respectively as the additive apart from the Lewis acid and mineral acid. It can be appreciated that the extent of delignification obtained upon using the pre-treatment types 6-12 is significantly lesser than that obtained by using the pre-treatment types 3, 4, and 5 (Table 3 and Table 6). The effect of delignification can be observed in the subsequent hydrolysis step, the extent of hydrolysis obtained after pre-treatment types 3, 4, and 5 are 70%, 85%, and 81%. Whereas, the extent of hydrolysis after pre-treatment types 6-12 were not determined as the hydrolysis treatment was not performed due to the lack of significant delignification achieved using the said pre-treatment types.
[00115] The present example asserts the significance of the catalyst composition of the present disclosure as pre-treatment of the lignocellulosic biomass with an additive different from the surfactants and polyols as disclosed herein does not result significant delignification and thus does not assist the cause of hydrolysis for generation of biofuels.
Advantages of the present disclosure:
[00116] The present disclosure discloses a catalyst composition and a related
process using the catalyst composition for delignification of a lignocellulosic

biomass. The delignification step constitutes a pre-treatment step post which, the obtained biomass is treated with enzymes for hydrolysing the cellulose of the biomass. The pre-treatment process as disclosed leads to higher removal of lignin (40-50%) from the lignocellulosic biomass. The lignin content comprising acid soluble lignin and alkali soluble lignin is removed in the absence of alkali using the catalyst and the process of the present disclosure. The process leads to 75-95% of hemicellulose removal from the biomass and simultaneously 85-90% of cellulose recovery is obtained with a minimal loss. The efficient removal of the hemicellulose and lignin content from the biomass using the catalyst and the process of the present disclosure facilitates efficient hydrolysis in the range of 70-85% of the pre-treated biomass. The pre-treatment makes the biomass amenable to enzymatic hydrolysis achieving more than 70% hydrolysis in 48 hours at a high solid loading of 10-15% w/v. Also, the process using the catalyst leads to generation of minimal inhibitors like furfural, HMF, and acetic acid facilitating the pre-treated biomass and the hydrolysate obtained after the enzymatic treatment to undergo the process of fermentation. Thus, the catalyst and the process of present disclosure facilitates the fermentation of the lignocellulosic biomass resulting in an efficient process to obtain biofuels. Also, as per the pre-conditioning system as disclosed herein adds to the advantage of economic benefit by achieving efficient reactor loading during commercial scale pre-treatment process.

I/We Claim:
1. A catalyst composition comprising:
a) at least one mineral acid;
b) at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and
c) at least one additive,
wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016.
2. The catalyst composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one acidic component is phenol.
3. The catalyst composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one acidic component is guaiacol.
4. The catalyst composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one acidic component is a combination of phenol and guaiacol.
5. A catalyst composition comprising:

a) at least one mineral acid;
b) at least one Lewis acid; and
c) at least one additive,
wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016.
6. The composition as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one mineral acid is selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, and combinations thereof.
7. The composition as claimed in any one of the claims 1, and 5, wherein the at least one Lewis acid is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, trimethyl aluminium, trialkyl borate, aluminium trichloride, boron trifluoride, and combinations thereof.
8. The composition as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of polyol, surfactants, and combinations thereof.

9. The composition as claimed in claim 8, wherein the polyol is selected from the group consisting of glycerol, PEG 400, ethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, and combinations thereof.
10. The composition as claimed in claim 8, wherein the surfactants is selected from the group consisting of Tween 80, Tween 20, Triton X100, and combinations thereof.
11. The composition as claimed in any one of the claims 1, and 5, wherein the at least one mineral acid is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5% - 3% with respect to the composition, the at least one Lewis acid is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5% - 4% with respect to the composition, and the at least one additive is having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5% - 4% with respect to the composition.
12. The composition as claimed in any one of the claims 1 and 5, wherein the at least one Lewis acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.125.
13. The composition as claimed in any one of the claims 1and 5, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one Lewis acid w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016.
14. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one acidic component to the at least one additive w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.125.
15. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one acidic component w/w ratio in said composition is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016.
16. A process for preparing the catalyst composition as claimed in claim 1, said process comprising:
a) obtaining at least one mineral acid;
b) obtaining at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof;
c) obtaining at least one additive; and

d) contacting the at least one mineral acid, the at least one acidic component, and the at least one additive, to obtain the catalyst composition. 17. A process for preparing the catalyst composition as claimed in claim 5, said process comprising:
a) obtaining at least one mineral acid;
b) obtaining at least one Lewis acid;
c) obtaining at least one additive; and
d) contacting the at least one mineral acid, the at least one Lewis acid, and the at least one additive to obtain the catalyst composition.
18. A process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising:
a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition comprising:
I. at least one mineral acid;
II. at least one acidic component selected from a group consisting of Lewis acid, phenol, guaiacol, and combinations thereof; and III. at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120 ℃ - 180 ℃ for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a delignified biomass.
19. A process for obtaining delignified biomass, said process comprising:
a) contacting a lignocellulosic biomass with a catalyst composition
comprising:
I. at least one mineral acid; II. at least one Lewis acid; and III. at least one additive, to obtain a mixture; and
b) incubating the mixture at a temperature in the range of 120°C - 180
°C for a time period in the range of 15 - 30 minutes to obtain a
delignified biomass.

20. The process as claimed in any one of the claims 18 and 19, wherein the catalyst composition comprises at least one mineral acid having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-3% with respect to the composition; at least one Lewis acid having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-4% with respect to the composition; and at least one additive having a weight percentage in the range of 0.5%-4% with respect to the composition.
21. The process as claimed in any one of the claims 18 and 19, wherein the at least one mineral acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016, the at least one Lewis acid to the at least one additive w/w ratio is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.125, and the at least one mineral acid to the at least one Lewis acid w/w ratio is in the range of 1:8 to 1:0.016.
22. The process as claimed in any one of the claims 18 and 19, wherein incubating the mixture is at a pressure in the range of 3-10 bar.
23. The process as claimed in any one of the claims 18 and 19, wherein the lignocellulosic biomass and the catalyst composition has a w/v ratio in said mixture in the range of 1:8 to 1:2.5.
24. The process as claimed in any one of the claims 18 and 19, wherein the process leads to removal of 40%-60% lignin from the lignocellulosic biomass.
25. The process as claimed in any one of the claims 18 and 19, wherein the at least one mineral acid is selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, and combinations thereof, the at least one Lewis acid is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, trimethyl aluminium, trialkyl borate, aluminium trichloride, boron trifluoride, and combinations thereof, the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of polyol, surfactants, and combinations thereof.
26. The process as claimed in claim 25, wherein the polyol is selected from the group consisting of glycerol, PEG 400, ethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, and combinations thereof, and the surfactants is selected from the group consisting of Tween 80, Tween 20, Triton X100, and combinations thereof.

27. The catalyst composition as claimed in any one of the claims 1-13, wherein the catalyst composition is used for delignification of a lignocellulosic biomass.