This study examined the suitability of husk waste for bioethanol production and compared pretreatment techniques with regard to their efficiencies. Results showed that 4% NaBH4 (90 mm) delignified the highest amount of lignin (49.1%) from the structure. The highest xylan solubility (77.9%) was observed when samples were treated with 4% NaOH for 90 min. Pretreatment with NaOH and NaBH4, compared to H2O2 and H2SO4, resulted in selective delignification. The highest glucan to glucose conversion (74.4%) and the highest ethanol yield (52.6 g/kg husks) were observed for samples treated with 2% NaOH for 90 min. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.