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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Renewable Product Technology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #309252
Title: Simplified process for preparation of schizophyllan solutions for biomaterial applications

Author
item SUTIVISEDSAK, NONGNUCH - Former ARS Employee
item Leathers, Timothy
item Biresaw, Girma
item Nunnally, Melinda
item Bischoff, Kenneth

Submitted to: Preparative Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/7/2015
Publication Date: 4/27/2016
Citation: Sutivisedsak, N., Leathers, T.D., Biresaw, G., Nunnally, M.S., Bischoff, K.M. 2016. Simplified process for preparation of schizophyllan solutions for biomaterial applications. Preparative Biochemistry and Biotechnology. 46(3):313-319.

Interpretive Summary: In this research, an optimized process was developed for production of the valuable biopolymer, schizophyllan, from distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Utilization of biomass substrates could provide a value-added product from agricultural residues such as DDGS, in support of the integrated biorefinery concept. Integrated biorefineries will convert biomass substrates to a variety of value-added bioproducts, such as schizophyllan. In previous studies, DDGS, an abundant coproduct of dry grind fuel ethanol production, was identified as a promising biomass substrate for production of schizophyllan. We discovered optimal production conditions for conversion of DDGS to schizophyllan and conducted physical characterizations of the biopolymer. This work provides a potential new value-added bioproduct for integrated biorefineries of the future.

Technical Abstract: Schizophyllan is a biopolymer commercially produced for pharmaceutical and cosmetics uses. However, schizophyllan also has potential biomaterial applications. Schizophyllan is conventionally produced from glucose and recovered by diafiltration and ultrafiltration to produce a highly purified product. Here we demonstrate a simplified process for preparation of schizophyllan solutions for biomaterial applications. Schizophyllan was produced in 1.5-L bioreactors from distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), an abundant coproduct of dry grind fuel ethanol production. Downstream processing eliminated filtration and concentration steps, providing solutions containing 4.2 ± 0.3 g schizophyllan/L. Solutions contained high molecular weight schizophyllan and exhibited viscosity properties similar to those of commercial schizophyllan. Schizophyllan solutions showed promise as a component of biolubricants in friction and wear tests and by dynamic and surface and interfacial tension measurements.