Binding characteristics of Trichoderma reesei cellulases on untreated, ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX), and dilute-acid pretreated lignocellulosic biomass

AbstractThe high cost of commercial cellulases still hampers the economic competitiveness of the production of fuels and chemicals from lignocellulosic biomasses. This cost may be decreased by the on-site production of cellulases with the integrated use of the lignocellulosic biomass as carbon source. This integrated approach was evaluated in the present study whereby steam-pretreated sugarcane bagasse (SPSB) was used as carbon source for the production of cellulases by Trichoderma reesei Rut C30 and the produced enzymes were subsequently used for SPSB hydrolysis. An enzyme preparation with a high cellulase activity, of 1.93 FPU/mL, was obtained, and a significant β-glucosidase activity was achieved in buffered media, indicating the importance of pH control during enzyme production. The hydrolysis of SPSB with the laboratory-made mixture resulted in a glucose yield of 80%, which was equivalent to those observed for control experiments using commercial enzymes. Even though the supplementation of this mixture with external β-glucosidase from Aspergillus awamori was found to increase the initial hydrolysis rates, it had no impact on the final hydrolysis yield. It was shown that SPSB is a promising carbon source for the production of cellulases and β-glucosidases by T. reesei Rut C30 and that the enzyme preparation obtained is effective for the hydrolysis of SPSB, supporting the on-site integrated approach to decrease the cost of the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass.

Download Full-text

Relationship between sugarcane culm and leaf biomass composition and saccharification efficiency

Biotechnology for Biofuels ◽

10.1186/s13068-019-1588-3 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

K. Hodgson-Kratky ◽

G. Papa ◽

A. Rodriguez ◽

V. Stavila ◽

B. Simmons ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Wall ◽

Ionic Liquid ◽

Lignocellulosic Biomass ◽

Plant Cell Wall ◽

Biomass Composition ◽

Leaf Biomass ◽

Dilute Acid ◽

Sugarcane Varieties ◽

Saccharification Efficiency ◽

G Ratio

Abstract Background Lignocellulosic biomass is recognized as a promising renewable feedstock for the production of biofuels. However, current methods for converting biomass into fermentable sugars are considered too expensive and inefficient due to the recalcitrance of the secondary cell wall. Biomass composition can be modified to create varieties that are efficiently broken down to release cell wall sugars. This study focused on identifying the key biomass components influencing plant cell wall recalcitrance that can be targeted for selection in sugarcane, an important and abundant source of biomass. Results Biomass composition and the amount of glucan converted into glucose after saccharification were measured in leaf and culm tissues from seven sugarcane genotypes varying in fiber composition after no pretreatment and dilute acid, hydrothermal and ionic liquid pretreatments. In extractives-free sugarcane leaf and culm tissue, glucan, xylan, acid-insoluble lignin (AIL) and acid-soluble lignin (ASL) ranged from 20 to 32%, 15% to 21%, 14% to 20% and 2% to 4%, respectively. The ratio of syringyl (S) to guaiacyl (G) content in the lignin ranged from 1.5 to 2.2 in the culm and from 0.65 to 1.1 in the leaf. Hydrothermal and dilute acid pretreatments predominantly reduced xylan content, while the ionic liquid (IL) pretreatment targeted AIL reduction. The amount of glucan converted into glucose after 26 h of pre-saccharification was highest after IL pretreatment (42% in culm and 63.5% in leaf) compared to the other pretreatments. Additionally, glucan conversion in leaf tissues was approximately 1.5-fold of that in culm tissues. Percent glucan conversion varied between genotypes but there was no genotype that was superior to all others across the pretreatment groups. Path analysis revealed that S/G ratio, AIL and xylan had the strongest negative associations with percent glucan conversion, while ASL and glucan content had strong positive influences. Conclusion To improve saccharification efficiency of lignocellulosic biomass, breeders should focus on reducing S/G ratio, xylan and AIL content and increasing ASL and glucan content. This will be key for the development of sugarcane varieties for bioenergy uses.

Download Full-text