First direct side-by-side comparative pretreatment assessment on agave bagasse.
Ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX) completely preserves plant carbohydrates.
Autohydrolysis solubilized 62% of xylan from untreated agave bagasse (AGB).
Ionic liquid (IL) pretreatment removed 25% of lignin from untreated AGB.
Syringyl and guaiacyl lignin ratios of pretreated biomass were determined.