A method for recovering inorganic salt during processing of a
lignocellulosic feedstock is provided. The method comprises pretreating
the lignocellulosic feedstock by adding an acid to the feedstock to
produce a pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock. A soluble base is then
added to the pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock to adjust the pH and
produce a neutralized feedstock. The neutralized feedstock is then
enzymatically hydrolyzed to produce an enzyme hydrolyzed feedstock and a
sugar stream. Inorganic salt is recovered from either a stream obtained
from the lignocellulosic feedstock prior to the step of pretreating, a
stream obtained from the pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock, a stream
obtained from the neutralized feedstock, a stream obtained from the sugar
stream, or a combination of these streams. The inorganic salt may be
concentrated, clarified, recovered and purified by crystallization,
electrodialysis drying, or agglomeration and granulation, and then used
as desired, for example as a fertilizer.