Patent attributes
A simple method is provided for producing a saccharified solution from a used absorbent article such as a used diaper. In order to produce a saccharified solution from a used absorbent article comprising a non-cellulosic liquid permeable surface material and an absorbent body that contains pulp fibers, the used absorbent article is immersed, without first being decomposed, in a saccharifying enzyme solution containing cellulase. The pulp fibers in the used absorbent article are saccharified by the cellulase, producing a saccharified solution. The produced saccharified solution is exuded out of the used absorbent article through the liquid permeable surface material, so it is possible to easily separate and recover the saccharified solution from the used absorbent article while maintaining the outer shape.