Variation in sugarcane biomass composition and enzymatic saccharification of leaves, internodes and roots

Abstract Background The composition of biomass determines its suitability for different applications within a biorefinery system. The proportion of the major biomass fractions (sugar, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) may vary in different sugarcane genotypes and growth environments and different parts of the plant. This study investigated the composition of mature and immature internodes, roots and mature leaves of sugarcane. Results Internodes were found to have a significantly larger alcohol-soluble component than leaves and roots. The primary difference between the immature and mature internodes was the ratio of soluble sugars. In mature tissues, sucrose content was significantly higher, whereas in immature internodal tissues there was lower sucrose and heightened concentrations of reducing sugars. Carbon (C) partitioning in leaf tissues was characterised by low levels of soluble components and high “other” and cell wall fractions. Root tissue had low ratios of soluble fractions relative to their cell wall contents, indicating a lack of storage of soluble carbon. There was no significant difference in the ratio of the major cell wall fractions between the major organ types. Characterisation of individual non-cellulosic monomers indicated leaf and root tissues had significantly higher arabinose and galactose fractions. Significantly larger proportions of syringyl lignin compounds and the hydroxycinnamic compound, p-coumaric acid were observed in mature internodal tissues compared to the other tissue types. Tissue-specific differences in composition were shown to greatly affect the recalcitrance of the cell wall to enzymatic saccharification. Conclusions Overall, this study displayed clear evidence of the differential partitioning of C throughout the sugarcane plant in specific organs. These organ-specific differences have major implications in their utility as a bioproduct feedstock. For example, the inclusion of trash (leaves) with the culms (internodes) may alter processing efficiency.

Download Full-text

Overexpression of the rice BAHD acyltransferase AT10 increases xylan-bound p-coumarate and reduces lignin in Sorghum bicolor

Biotechnology for Biofuels ◽

10.1186/s13068-021-02068-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yang Tian ◽

Chien-Yuan Lin ◽

Joon-Hyun Park ◽

Chuan-Yin Wu ◽

Ramu Kakumanu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Wall ◽

Sorghum Bicolor ◽

Cell Walls ◽

Lignin Content ◽

Complex Structure ◽

Enzymatic Saccharification ◽

Cellulose Microfibrils ◽

Biomass Composition ◽

Bioenergy Crops ◽

Transgenic Lines

Abstract Background The development of bioenergy crops with reduced recalcitrance to enzymatic degradation represents an important challenge to enable the sustainable production of advanced biofuels and bioproducts. Biomass recalcitrance is partly attributed to the complex structure of plant cell walls inside which cellulose microfibrils are protected by a network of hemicellulosic xylan chains that crosslink with each other or with lignin via ferulate (FA) bridges. Overexpression of the rice acyltransferase OsAT10 is an effective bioengineering strategy to lower the amount of FA involved in the formation of cell wall crosslinks and thereby reduce cell wall recalcitrance. The annual crop sorghum represents an attractive feedstock for bioenergy purposes considering its high biomass yields and low input requirements. Although we previously validated the OsAT10 engineering approach in the perennial bioenergy crop switchgrass, the effect of OsAT10 expression on biomass composition and digestibility in sorghum remains to be explored. Results We obtained eight independent sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) transgenic lines with a single copy of a construct designed for OsAT10 expression. Consistent with the proposed role of OsAT10 in acylating arabinosyl residues on xylan with p-coumarate (pCA), a higher amount of p-coumaroyl-arabinose was released from the cell walls of these lines upon hydrolysis with trifluoroacetic acid. However, no major changes were observed regarding the total amount of pCA or FA esters released from cell walls upon mild alkaline hydrolysis. Certain diferulate (diFA) isomers identified in alkaline hydrolysates were increased in some transgenic lines. The amount of the main cell wall monosaccharides glucose, xylose, and arabinose was unaffected. The transgenic lines showed reduced lignin content and their biomass released higher yields of sugars after ionic liquid pretreatment followed by enzymatic saccharification. Conclusions Expression of OsAT10 in sorghum leads to an increase of xylan-bound pCA without reducing the overall content of cell wall FA esters. Nevertheless, the amount of total cell wall pCA remains unchanged indicating that most pCA is ester-linked to lignin. Unlike other engineered plants overexpressing OsAT10 or a phylogenetically related acyltransferase with similar putative function, the improvements of biomass saccharification efficiency in sorghum OsAT10 lines are likely the result of lignin reductions rather than reductions of cell wall-bound FA. These results also suggest a relationship between xylan-bound pCA and lignification in cell walls.

Download Full-text

Properties of Gliricidia Wood (Gliricidia sepium) lntercropped with Cocoa (Theobroma cocoa) in Malaysia

Scientific Research Journal ◽

10.24191/srj.v14i1.5418 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 51

Author(s):

Mohd Helmy Ibrahim ◽

Mohd Nazip Suratman ◽

Razali Abd Kader

Keyword(s):

Cell Wall ◽

Specific Gravity ◽

Moisture Content ◽

Wall Thickness ◽

Age Groups ◽

Gliricidia Sepium ◽

Cell Wall Thickness ◽

Tree Age ◽

Lumen Diameter ◽

Significant Difference

Trees planted from agroforestry practices can become valuable resources in meeting the wood requirements of many nations. Gliricidia sepium is an exotic species introduced to the agricultural sector in Malaysia mainly for providing shade for cocoa and coffee plantations. This study investigates its wood physical properties (specific gravity and moisture content) and fibre morphology (length, lumen diameter and cell wall thickness) of G. sepium at three intervals according to age groups ( three, five and seven years of ages). Specific gravity (0.72) was significantly higher at seven years ofage as compared to five (0.41) and three (0.35) years age group with a mean of 0.43 (p<0.05). Mean moisture content was 58.3% with no significant difference existing between the tree age groups. Fibre diameter (22.4 mm) was significantly lower (p<0.05) for the trees which were three years of age when compared to five and seven years age groups (26.6 mm and 24. 7 mm), respectively. Means of fibre length, lumen diameter and cell wall thickness were 0.83 mm, 18.3 mm, and 6.2 mm, respectively, with no significant differences detected between trees in all age groups. Further calculation on the coefficient of suppleness and runkel ratio suggest that wood from G.sepium may have the potential for insulation board manufacturing and paper making. However, future studies should experiment the utilisation of this species for these products to determine its full potential.

Download Full-text

Valorization of sugarcane bagasse by chemical pretreatment and enzyme mediated deconstruction

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-52347-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Vihang S. Thite ◽

Anuradha S. Nerurkar

Keyword(s):

Cell Wall ◽

Sugarcane Bagasse ◽

Structural Changes ◽

Enzymatic Saccharification ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Gravimetric Analysis ◽

Chemical Pretreatment ◽

Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes ◽

First Time ◽

Soluble Components

Abstract After chemical pretreatment, improved amenability of agrowaste biomass for enzymatic saccharification needs an understanding of the effect exerted by pretreatments on biomass for enzymatic deconstruction. In present studies, NaOH, NH4OH and H2SO4 pretreatments effectively changed visible morphology imparting distinct fibrous appearance to sugarcane bagasse (SCB). Filtrate analysis after NaOH, NH4OH and H2SO4 pretreatments yielded release of soluble reducing sugars (SRS) in range of ~0.17–0.44%, ~0.38–0.75% and ~2.9–8.4% respectively. Gravimetric analysis of pretreated SCB (PSCB) biomass also revealed dry weight loss in range of ~25.8–44.8%, ~11.1–16.0% and ~28.3–38.0% by the three pretreatments in the same order. Release of soluble components other than SRS, majorly reported to be soluble lignins, were observed highest for NaOH followed by H2SO4 and NH4OH pretreatments. Decrease or absence of peaks attributed to lignin and loosened fibrous appearance of biomass during FTIR and SEM studies respectively further corroborated with our observations of lignin removal. Application of commercial cellulase increased raw SCB saccharification from 1.93% to 38.84%, 25.56% and 9.61% after NaOH, H2SO4 and NH4OH pretreatments. Structural changes brought by cell wall degrading enzymes were first time shown visually confirming the cell wall disintegration under brightfield, darkfield and fluorescence microscopy. The microscopic evidence and saccharification results proved that the chemical treatment valorized the SCB by making it amenable for enzymatic saccharification.

Download Full-text

#74: Development of a Solid-Organ Transplant-Specific Antibiogram in a Tertiary Pediatric Hospital in Canada

Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society ◽

10.1093/jpids/piaa170.001 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S1-S1

Author(s):

T Kitano ◽

M Science ◽

N Nalli ◽

K Timberlake ◽

U Allen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Treatment Guidelines ◽

Organ Transplant ◽

Solid Organ Transplant ◽

Lower Sensitivity ◽

Solid Organ ◽

Pediatric Hospital ◽

Post Transplant ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Organ Specific ◽

Wide Population

Abstract Background Solid-organ transplant (SOT) patients are more vulnerable to infections by antimicrobial-resistant organisms (AROs) because of their hospital exposure, compromised immune systems, and antimicrobial exposure. Therefore, it may be useful for transplant facilities to create transplant-specific antibiograms to direct empirical antimicrobial regimens and monitor trends in antimicrobial resistance. Methods SOT (i.e., lung, liver, renal, and heart) antibiograms were created using antimicrobial susceptibility data on isolates from 2012 to 2018 at The Hospital for Sick Children, a tertiary pediatric hospital and transplant center in Toronto, Ontario. The Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines were followed to generate the antibiograms. The first clinical isolate of a species from a patient in each year was included irrespective of body site; duplicates were eliminated and surveillance cultures were excluded. Results from 2 years of data were pooled on a rolling basis to achieve an adequate sample size in both SOT and hospital-wide antibiogram. The SOT antibiogram was then compared with the hospital-wide antibiogram of the compatible 2 pooled years from 2012 to 2018. For subgroup analyses in the SOT population, organ-specific antibiograms and transplant timing-specific antibiograms (pretransplant, post-transplant <1 year, and post-transplant ≥1 year) between transplant and sample collection dates were analyzed. All proportions were compared using the χ 2 test. Results The top 5 organisms in one (2 year) analysis period of the SOT antibiogram were Escherichia coli (n = 29), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 28), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 20), Enterobacter cloacae complex (n = 18), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 17). For E.coli, susceptibility in the SOT antibiogram was significantly lower than those in the hospital-wide antibiogram in 2017/2018 for ampicillin (27% vs. 48%; P = 0.015), piperacillin/tazobactam (55% vs. 87%; P < 0.001), cefotaxime (59% vs. 88%; P < 0.001), ciprofloxacin (71% vs. 87%; P = 0.007) and cotrimoxazole (41% vs. 69%; P < 0.001), but not significantly different for gentamicin (94% vs. 91%; P = 0.490), tobramycin (88% vs. 90%; P = 0.701) and amikacin (100% vs. 99%; P = 0.558). These findings were consistent throughout the study period in E.coli. There was no statistically significant difference between the SOT and hospital-wide antibiograms for other organisms. There were no significant differences in susceptibility between organ-specific antibiograms or transplant timing-specific antibiograms in 2012–2018. Conclusions We found that E.coli from the SOT population had a significantly lower sensitivity to all antimicrobials, except aminoglycosides, compared with those from the hospital-wide population. Other organisms had similar susceptibility to the hospital-wide population. Developing a SOT antibiogram will assist in revising and improving empiric treatment guidelines for this population.

Download Full-text

Diverse Banana Pseudostems and Rachis Are Distinctive for Edible Carbohydrates and Lignocellulose Saccharification towards High Bioethanol Production under Chemical and Liquid Hot Water Pretreatments

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26133870 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (13) ◽

pp. 3870

Author(s):

Jingyang Li ◽

Fei Liu ◽

Hua Yu ◽

Yuqi Li ◽

Shiguang Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soluble Sugars ◽

Enzymatic Saccharification ◽

Hot Water ◽

Biofuel Production ◽

Bioenergy Crops ◽

Bioethanol Production ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Liquid Hot Water ◽

Biomass Processing ◽

Banana Crops

Banana is a major fruit crop throughout the world with abundant lignocellulose in the pseudostem and rachis residues for biofuel production. In this study, we collected a total of 11 pseudostems and rachis samples that were originally derived from different genetic types and ecological locations of banana crops and then examined largely varied edible carbohydrates (soluble sugars, starch) and lignocellulose compositions. By performing chemical (H2SO4, NaOH) and liquid hot water (LHW) pretreatments, we also found a remarkable variation in biomass enzymatic saccharification and bioethanol production among all banana samples examined. Consequently, this study identified a desirable banana (Refen1, subgroup Pisang Awak) crop containing large amounts of edible carbohydrates and completely digestible lignocellulose, which could be combined to achieve the highest bioethanol yields of 31–38% (% dry matter), compared with previously reported ones in other bioenergy crops. Chemical analysis further indicated that the cellulose CrI and lignin G-monomer should be two major recalcitrant factors affecting biomass enzymatic saccharification in banana pseudostems and rachis. Therefore, this study not only examined rich edible carbohydrates for food in the banana pseudostems but also detected digestible lignocellulose for bioethanol production in rachis tissue, providing a strategy applicable for genetic breeding and biomass processing in banana crops.

Download Full-text

Synergistic Effect of Different Plant Cell Wall–Degrading Enzymes Is Important for Virulence of Fusarium graminearum

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions ◽

10.1094/mpmi-07-17-0179-r ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 30 (11) ◽

pp. 886-895 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Maria Chiara Paccanaro ◽

Luca Sella ◽

Carla Castiglioni ◽

Francesca Giacomello ◽

Ana Lilia Martínez-Rocha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Wall ◽

Fusarium Graminearum ◽

Plant Cell ◽

Plant Cell Wall ◽

Xylanase Activity ◽

Cellulase Activity ◽

Wild Type ◽

Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes ◽

Xylanase Production ◽

Significant Difference

Endo-polygalacturonases (PGs) and xylanases have been shown to play an important role during pathogenesis of some fungal pathogens of dicot plants, while their role in monocot pathogens is less defined. Pg1 and xyr1 genes of the wheat pathogen Fusarium graminearum encode the main PG and the major regulator of xylanase production, respectively. Single- and double-disrupted mutants for these genes were obtained to assess their contribution to fungal infection. Compared with wild-type strain, the ∆pg mutant showed a nearly abolished PG activity, slight reduced virulence on soybean seedlings, but no significant difference in disease symptoms on wheat spikes; the ∆xyr mutant was strongly reduced in xylanase activity and moderately reduced in cellulase activity but was as virulent as wild type on both soybean and wheat plants. Consequently, the ΔpgΔxyr double mutant was impaired in xylanase, PG, and cellulase activities but, differently from single mutants, was significantly reduced in virulence on both plants. These findings demonstrate that the concurrent presence of PG, xylanase, and cellulase activities is necessary for full virulence. The observation that the uronides released from wheat cell wall after a F. graminearum PG treatment were largely increased by the fungal xylanases suggests that these enzymes act synergistically in deconstructing the plant cell wall.

Download Full-text

Influence of the method of disintegration of biomass of microalga Chlorella sorokiniana on the production of lipid fraction

Butlerov Communications ◽

10.37952/roi-jbc-01/19-59-7-85 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 59 (7) ◽

pp. 85-91

Author(s):

Yulia A. Smyatskaya ◽

◽

Natalia A. Politaeva ◽

Amira Toumi ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Cell Wall ◽

Microwave Radiation ◽

High Speed ◽

Unsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Lipid Fraction ◽

Chlorella Sorokiniana ◽

Lipid Fractions ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Selection Of

This article discusses the effect of the disintegration of the cell wall of the microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana on the output of the lipid fraction. The biomass of the microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana was grown under laboratory conditions in special photobioreactors at a temperature of 25 °C, with a constant aeration of a mixture of carbon dioxide and air at a rate of 1.5 liters/min, illumination 2200-2800 Lx. Nutrient medium for cultivation contained macro – and micronutrients for high-speed growth of microalgae. Selection of optimal cultivation parameters allows obtaining biomass with desired properties. Disintegration was carried out with the homogenization of biomass and under the influence of microwave radiation. Extraction of lipids was carried out on a semi-automatic extractor according to the Randall method, using organic solvents. The output of the lipid fraction without treatment was 10.18% after the destruction of the cell wall 14.45% with the homogenization of biomass and 13.85% under the influence of microwave radiation. A qualitative analysis of the lipid fraction, carried out under gas chromatography, obtained under various conditions showed that there was no significant difference in composition from the disintegration method. Lipid fractions (more than 50%) in both cases consist mainly of unsaturated fatty acids, of which irreplaceable unsaturated fatty acids constitute more than 18% for both samples. The residual biomass formed after the extraction of the lipid fraction can be used as fertilizer in the plant, for the manufacture of sorption materials for the purification of industrial water and as a biofuel. The purpose of this study was to study the effect of cell wall disintegration on the output of the lipid fraction and qualitative composition.

Download Full-text

Effect of wildfires on tropical peatland vegetation in Meranti Islands District, Riau Province, Indonesia

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity ◽

10.13057/biodiv/d201039 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (10) ◽

Author(s):

Sinta Silviana ◽

BAMBANG HERO SAHARJO ◽

SIGIT SUTIKNO

Keyword(s):

Forest Fires ◽

Biomass Composition ◽

Burned Area ◽

Tropical Peatland ◽

Wood Harvesting ◽

Forest Sustainability ◽

Test Models ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Study Sites ◽

Burnt Areas

Abstract. Silviana SH, Saharjo BH, Sutikno S. 2019. Effect of wildfires on tropical peatland vegetation in Meranti Islands District, Riau Province, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 3056-3062. Wildfires are one of the main causes of forest destruction, disturbing forest sustainability. Wildfires are mainly caused by human activities, such as land clearing, wood harvesting, draining, etc. Wildfires could induce the loss of vegetation. This study was aimed at assessing the effect of wildfires on both vegetation biomass and necromass on coastal peatland ecosystems in Sungaitohor Village, Tebing Tinggi Timur Sub-district, Meranti Islands District, Riau Province, Indonesia. Analysis of vegetation and both above and below the ground biomass composition were performed. The approach used a paired sample with 4 replications (n = 4 burnt, n=4 unburnt). The variables observed in every research sites was analyzed using Student-T test. Models were generated and then validated to understand the effect of fires on biomass. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the studied parameters between the unburned area and burned area (P <0.01). Wildfires affected the quantity of living plants (biomass) which was indicated by the fact that biomass is unburnt and burnt areas were in the ratio of 2.67 : 1. The quantity of dead plants (necromass) was greater in the burned plots than in the unburnt plots. All these findings suggest that high intensity of forest fires had occurred in the study sites.

Download Full-text