Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Griffin, Georgia » Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #309399
Title: Evaluation of various fungal pretreatment of switchgrass for enhanced saccharification and simultaneous enzyme production

Author
item LIU, JIAYANG - University Of Georgia
item SIDHU, SUDEEP - University Of Georgia
item Wang, Ming
item Tonnis, Brandon
item HABTESELASSIE, MUSSIE - University Of Georgia
item HUANG, QINGGUO - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: Journal of Cleaner Production
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/14/2015
Publication Date: 4/30/2015
Citation: Liu, J., Sidhu, S., Wang, M.L., Tonnis, B.D., Habteselassie, M., Huang, Q. 2015. Evaluation of various fungal pretreatment of switchgrass for enhanced saccharification and simultaneous enzyme production. Journal of Cleaner Production. 104:480-488.

Interpretive Summary: During fungal pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass for bioethanol production, the treatment effectiveness may vary with different fungal strains in regard to biomass loss, sugar yield, enzyme loading, and co-product yield. In this study, 25 different fungal strains were screened for pretreatment of switchgrass biomass to enhance the co-production of beneficial enzymes and the subsequent saccharification process. The pretreatment was assessed by examining switchgrass biomass loss, effectiveness of enzymatic hydrolysis, and ligninolytic activity. The most promising fungus identified was an inedible mushroom, Chlorophyllum molybdites with the highest saccharification efficiency and ligninolytic activity. Additionally, all eight accessory enzymes were found to assist cellulase in enhancing saccharification of H4 pretreated switchgrass to varying degrees. This study suggests that pretreatment of switchgrass with an appropriate fungus, followed by exposure to cellulase and synergistic accessory enzymes can be an effective strategy in maximizing the process of saccharification.

Technical Abstract: During fungal pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass for bioethanol production, the treatment effectiveness may vary with different fungal strains in regard to biomass loss, sugar yield, enzyme loading, and co-product yield. In this study, 25 different fungal strains were screened for pretreatment of switchgrass biomass to enhance the co-production of beneficial enzymes and the subsequent saccharification process. The pretreatment was assessed by examining switchgrass biomass loss, effectiveness of enzymatic hydrolysis, and ligninolytic activity. The most promising fungus identified was an inedible mushroom, Chlorophyllum molybdites (H4) with the highest saccharification efficiency and ligninolytic activity. Additionally, all eight accessory enzymes were found to assist cellulase in enhancing saccharification of H4 pretreated switchgrass to varying degrees. This study suggests that pretreatment of switchgrass with an appropriate fungus, followed by exposure to cellulase and synergistic accessory enzymes can be an effective strategy in maximizing the process of saccharification.