In this study, a central composite design and response surface methodology were used to study the effect of various hydrolysis variables (temperature, pH, and time) on the acid hydrolysis of Jerusalem artichokederived inulin using three different mineral acids (HCl, H 2 SO 4 , and H 3 PO 4 ). Numerical optimization was used to maximize the sugar yield of Jerusalem artichoke powder within the experimental range for each of the mentioned acid. The influence of each acid on the formation of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF; a known by-product and inhibitor for fermentative organisms) was also investigated. H 2 SO 4 was found to have a better potential for sugar yields compared to two other acids (HCl and H 3 PO 4 ) since it can hydrolyze the highest amount of inulin (98.5 %) under optimal conditions (temperature of 97°C, pH of 2.0, and time period of 35 min) without producing inhibiting HMF concentrations. The sulfuric hydrolysate of Jerusalem artichoke was fermented via solventogenic clostridia to acetonebutanol-ethanol (ABE). An ABE yield of 0.31 g g −1 and an overall fermentation productivity of 0.25 g l −1 h −1 were obtained, indicating the suitability of this feedstock for fermentative ABE production.