TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Method: The enzyme is added at 500-5000 (preferably 1000-2000) g per tonne. The microwave energy has a frequency of 2.45 GHz or in the 900 MHz frequency range. The treating step is carried out such that the temperature of the mixture is effectively controlled, and is 65-78 (preferably 70) degrees C; and is carried out in a continuous or batch manner for up to 10 minutes per kg cellulosic material. The fermentation reaction is carried out by microbial fermentation utilizing yeast. The method is carried out in wet or dry milling ethanol production. Preferred Components: The cellulosic material is a cellulosic biomass feedstock selected from agricultural waste, plant waste from industrial processes, and/or energy crop (preferably corn stover). The agricultural waste is corn stover, cereal straw or sugarcane bagasse. The plant waste from industrial processes is saw dust or paper pulp. The energy crop is switch grass. The enzyme is selected from amylase, alpha -amylase, glucoamylase, phytase, phosphatase, carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzyme, xylanase, cellulose, and/or hemi-cellulase (preferably alpha -amylase). EXAMPLE - To one lot (test) of canola meal sample (2 kg), was added Energex (RTM: beta-glucanase enzyme) at a dosage rate of 800 g/tonne. Two liters of water was added to the second sample prior to microwave treatment. Then the test sample was treated with microwave frequency of 2.45 GHz. Second lot of canola meal sample was maintained as control. Both the samples were taken to 68 degrees C and held at this temperature for five minutes, after which the temperature was increased to 85 degrees C and held there for a further five minutes. For the analysis of each treatment, duplicate samples were taken. The enhancement of free sugar release from test/control was evaluated. The result showed that the highest levels of glucose were obtained by the microwave treatment of canola meal/enzyme mixture (test) (i.e. ribose and galactose was found to be 0.34 and 9.17 g/kg), as compared to control (i.e. ribose and galactose was found to be 0.24 and 6.30 g/kg).