An approach to cellulase recovery from enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated sugarcane bagasse with high lignin content

The possibility of recovering the cellulases used for enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse was evaluated. A strategy was adopted to maximize the enzyme recovery: desorption of the enzymes adsorbed in the solid residue after hydrolysis, and re-adsorption of the enzymes from the liquid medium onto a fresh substrate. The use of surfactant during the enzymatic hydrolysis was important to improve the glucose release from the material structure and also to facilitate the enzyme desorption from the solid residue after hydrolysis. The temperature and pH used during desorption influenced the enzymes recovery, with the best results (90% adsorbed cellulase) being achieved at 45?°C and pH 5.5. The enzymes present in the liquid medium after enzymatic hydrolysis were partially recovered (77%) by adsorption onto the fresh substrate and used in new enzymatic hydrolysis batches. It was concluded that it is possible to recycle cellulases from an enzymatic medium for use in subsequent hydrolysis processes.     

The potential of enzyme recycling during the hydrolysis of a mixed softwood feedstock

Despite recent improvement in cellulase enzymes properties, the high cost associated with the hydrolysis step remains a major impediment to the commercialization of full-scale lignocellulose-to-ethanol bioconversion process. As part of a research effort to develop a commercial process for bioconversion of softwood residues, we have examined the potential for recycling enzymes during the hydrolysis of mixed softwood substrate pretreated by organosolv process. We have used response surface methodology to determine the optimal temperature, pH, ionic strength, and surfactant (Tween 80) concentration for maximizing the recovery of bound protein and enzyme activity from the residual substrates after hydrolysis. Data analysis showed that the temperature, pH and surfactant concentration were the major factors governing enzyme desorption from residual substrate. The optimized conditions were temperature 44.4 °C, pH 5.3 and 0.5% Tween 80. The optimal conditions significantly increased the hydrolysis yield by 25% after three rounds of hydrolysis. This bound enzyme desorption combining with free enzyme re-adsorption is a potential method to recover cellulase enzymes and reduce the cost of enzymatic hydrolysis.     

Kinetics of adsorption, desorption, and re-adsorption of a commercial endoglucanase in lignocellulosic suspensions

This study conducted quantitative kinetic modeling and in situ and temporally resolved measurements of adsorption, desorption, and re-adsorption of a commercial endoglucanase in lignocellulosic suspensions. The study defined a cellulase adsorption and desorption competition parameter, a pseudo rate of binding and desorption, binding and desorption capacity, as well as cellulase-binding reversibility (a thermodynamic property) and recyclability (a engineering parameter). The results indicate that both substrate chemical and physical structures play important roles in cellulase binding and desorption. Binding of a commercial cellulase onto a cellulosic substrate was reversible. Bindings to two different lignocellulosic substrates were almost irreversible. While lignin and its structure positively affect binding capacity to substrate, they negatively affect cellulase recyclability. Collapsing of substrate pores reduced cellulose accessibility and cellulase-binding capacity and increased reversibility and recyclability. Increasing temperature and pH increase cellulase desorption and increased binding reversibility and capacity. This study lays the foundation for developing effective cellulase recycling strategies.     

Access of cellulase to cellulose and lignin for poplar solids produced by leading pretreatment technologies

Adsorption of cellulase on solids resulting from pretreatment of poplar wood by ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX), ammonia recycled percolation (ARP), controlled pH, dilute acid (DA), flowthrough (FT), lime, and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and pure Avicel glucan was measured at 4°C, as were adsorption and desorption of cellulase and adsorption of β‐glucosidase for lignin left after enzymatic digestion of the solids from these pretreatments. From this, Langmuir adsorption parameters, cellulose accessibility to cellulase, and the effectiveness of cellulase adsorbed on poplar solids were estimated, and the effect of delignification on cellulase effectiveness was determined. Furthermore, Avicel hydrolysis inhibition by enzymatic and acid lignin of poplar solids was studied. Flowthrough pretreated solids showed the highest maximum cellulase adsorption capacity (σ_solids = 195 mg/g solid) followed by dilute acid (σ_solids = 170.0 mg/g solid) and lime pretreated solids (σ_solids = 150.8 mg/g solid), whereas controlled pH pretreated solids had the lowest (σ_solids = 56 mg/g solid). Lime pretreated solids also had the highest cellulose accessibility (σ_cellulose = 241 mg/g cellulose) followed by FT and DA. AFEX lignin had the lowest cellulase adsorption capacity (σ_lignin = 57 mg/g lignin) followed by dilute acid lignin (σ_lignin = 74 mg/g lignin). AFEX lignin also had the lowest β‐glucosidase capacity (σ_lignin = 66.6 mg/g lignin), while lignin from SO₂ (σ_lignin = 320 mg/g lignin) followed by dilute acid had the highest (301 mg/g lignin). Furthermore, SO₂ followed by dilute acid pretreated solids gave the highest cellulase effectiveness, but delignification enhanced cellulase effectiveness more for high pH than low pH pretreatments, suggesting that lignin impedes access of enzymes to xylan more than to glucan, which in turn affects glucan accessibility. In addition, lignin from enzymatic digestion of AFEX and dilute acid pretreated solids inhibited Avicel hydrolysis less than ARP and flowthrough lignin, whereas acid lignin from unpretreated poplar inhibited enzymes the most. Irreversible binding of cellulase to lignin varied with pretreatment type and desorption method. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009     

The adsorption and enzyme activity profiles of specific Trichoderma reesei cellulase/xylanase components when hydrolyzing steam pretreated corn stover

Recycling of enzymes during biomass conversion is one potential strategy to reduce the cost of the hydrolysis step of cellulosic ethanol production. Devising an efficient enzyme recycling strategy requires a good understanding of how the enzymes adsorb, distribute, and interact with the substrate during hydrolysis. We investigated the interaction of individual Trichoderma reesei enzymes present in a commercial cellulase mixture during the hydrolysis of steam-pretreated corn stover (SPCS). The enzyme profiles were followed using zymograms, gel electrophoresis, enzyme activity assays and mass spectrometry. The adsorption and activity profiles of 6 specific enzymes Cel7A (CBH I), Cel7B (EG I), Cel5A (EG II), Xyn 10 (endo-1,4-β-xylanase III), Xyn 11 (endo-xylanase II), and β-glucosidase were characterized. Initially, each of the enzymes rapidly adsorbed onto the SPCS. However, this was followed by partial desorption to an adsorption equilibrium where the Cel7A, Cel7B, Xyn 10, and β-glucosidase were partially adsorbed to the SPCS and also found free in solution throughout the course of hydrolysis. In contrast, the Cel5A and Xyn 11 components remained primarily free in the supernatant. The Cel7A component also exhibited a partial desorption when the rate of hydrolysis leveled off as evidenced by MUC zymogram and SDS-PAGE. Those cellulase components that did not bind to the substrate were generally less stable and lost their activities within the first 24h when compared to enzymes that were distributed in both the liquid and solid phases. Therefore, to ensure maximum enzyme activity recovery, enzyme recycling seems to be most effective when short-term rounds of hydrolysis are combined with the recovery of enzymes from both the liquid and the solid phases and potentially enzyme supplementation to replenish lost activity.     

Hydrolysis of orange peel with pectinase and cellulase enzymes

Summary Hydrolysis of polysaccharides in comminuted orange peel by commercial cellulase and pectinase enzymes has been investigated. High levels of conversion to monomeric sugars were observed after treatment with pectinase enzyme, but cellulase enzyme achieved only limited solubilization. The combination of cellulase and pectinase enzymes appears to be a most efficient system for enzymatic hydrolysis of polysaccharides in orange peel.     

Simultaneous production and induction of cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes in aStreptomyces sp.

Extracellular cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes ofStreptomyces sp. EC22 were produced during submerged fermentation. The cell-free culture supernatant of the streptomycete grown on microcrystalline cellulose contained enzymes able to depolymerize both crystalline and soluble celluloses and xylans. Higher cellulase and xylanase activities were found in the cell-free culture supernatant of the strain when grown on microcrystalline cellulose than when grown on xylan. Total cellulase and endoglucanase [carboxymethyl-cellulase (CMCase)] activities reached maxima after 72 h and xylanase activity was maximal after 60h. Temperature and pH optima were 55°C and 5.0 for CMCase activity and 60°C and 5.5 for total crystalline cellulase and xylanase activities. At 80°C, approximate half-lives of the enzymes were 37, 81 and 51 min for CMCase, crystalline cellulose depolymerization and xylanase, respectively.     

Exo- and Endo-Cellular Cellulase and Polygalacturonase in Abscission Zones of Developing Orange Fruits

The activity of cellulase, cellulase-isoenzymes and polygalacturonase (PG) in the shoot/peduncle and calyx abscission zones (AZ-A and AZ-C, respectively) of young and mature Shamouti orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) fruit explants was tested after extraction of total enzymes from either exo- or endo-cellular fractions from fruits treated with ethylene or 2,4-D. Ethylene enhanced and 2,4-D delayed both abscission and the activity of exo- and endo-cellular cellulase and PG. When tested separately in the exo- and endo-cellular fraction, the effects of both growth regulators on the activity of almost all cellulase isoenzymes were similar, irrespective of their location in the tissue. In mature fruits no abscission occurred in AZ-A, and yet the activity of cellulase and PG was regulated by the hormones as in abscising AZs. This was also true for total activity of exo- and endo-cellular cellulase and PG. Similar effects were observed when the activity of cellulase isoenzymes was tested in AZ-A of non-abscising mature fruits. It is suggested that whenever the increase in activity of the hydrolytic enzymes, and especially cellulase, is not followed by abscission, the substrate is either immune or not available to the enzymes.     

Desorption of cellulases from cotton powder

Cotton fabrics were treated with three different Trichoderma reesei cellulase preparations (total crude – TC, endoglucanase enriched – EG-rich, cellobiohydrolase enriched – CBH-rich) using mechanical agitation to produce cotton powder. Desorption of cellulase enzymes from the cotton powder was then performed by washing with buffer. After 3 washings most of the protein was desorbed from the cotton powder and the amount of sugars released in the latter washings was negligible. TC and CBH-rich preparations produced a finer cellulose powder than EGs. The desorption process caused a decrease in degree of polymerisation (DP) specially for the cotton treated with EGs and a marked increase in polydispersity (P _d) for all preparations.     

A quantitative approach to the study of the adsorption/desorption of cellulase components in a crude cellulase mixture

Summary Chromatofocusing was used to separate and identify cellulase components for the study of their adsorption/desorption onto lignocellulosic substrates during cellulose hydrolysis. The separated cellulase components were characterized with respect to their M.W.s and enzymatic activities. Adsorption of the cellulase components onto five different cellulosic substrates was quantified. All the major cellulase components adsorbed to all the substrates studied with only minor differences observed in the amount of binding of each cellulase component.     

Structure and function of a cellulase gene in redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus

The most abundant organic compound produced by plants is cellulose; however, it has long been accepted that most animals do not produce endogenous enzymes required for its degradation, but rely instead on symbiotic relationships with microbes that produce the necessary enzymes. Here, we present the genomic organisation of an endogenous glycosyl hydrolase family (GHF) 9 gene in redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus), consolidated from a cDNA sequence determined by Byrne et al. [Gene 239 (1999) 317–324.]. Comparison with several other invertebrate GHF9 genes reveals the conservation of both intron position/phase and splice sequence, which adds support to an argument for an ancestral animal cellulase gene. Furthermore, two introns in plant GHF9 genes are also identical in position, implying a more ancient origin for this class of animal cellulase.

Protein purification from redclaw gastric fluid via fast performance liquid chromatography (FPLC) indicated the presence of two endoglucanase enzymes. The molecular weights of these components were determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation—time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) to be 47,887 Da (Cel1) and 50,295 Da (Cel2). Cel1 is possibly the functional product of the described cellulase gene, with N-terminal amino acid residues identical to the translated amino acid sequence from the corresponding gene region. Cel2 was identical to Cel1 for 7 of 11 N-terminal residues and likely to be the product of a paralogous endoglucanase gene. These results suggest that redclaw crayfish possess at least one and possibly two functional, endoglucanase enzymes, although further work is required to confirm their origin and attributes.     

一株产纤维素酶真菌的筛选、鉴定及酶学性质初步研究

经过初筛和复筛从土样中分离出1株高产纤维素酶真菌SNB9,经形态学和ITS序列分析。鉴定为黑曲霉（Aspergu Uusniger）。生长条件的测定显示该菌生长范围偏酸。发酵后纤维素酶的最适作用pH在4．0—5．0,最适作用温度在45—55℃。滤纸酶活为9．29U／mL,C,酶活为23．69U／mL,CMCase酶活为38．23U／mL,β-葡萄糖苷酶活为65．52U／mL。发酵液中除了纤维素酶,还发现有辅助酶,包括木聚糖酶、淀粉酶、果胶酶、蛋白酶。     

Production of cellulase enzymes during the solid-state fermentation of empty palm fruit bunch fiber

Penicillium verruculosum COKE4E is a fungal strain isolated from bituminous coal. The microorganism cultivated in a minimal medium supplemented with Avicel, carboxymethylcellulose, and oat spelt xylan produced cellulase enzymes as exhibiting carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase), Avicelase, xylanase, and cellobiosidase activities. In this study, the productivity of the extracellular enzymes in the strain was evaluated by using empty palm fruit bunch fiber (EPFBF), a lignocellulosic biomass, as a substrate for solid-state bioconversion. The highest cellulase activities were observed after 6 days of fermentation at pH 6.0 and 30 °C. The enzymes were secreted as cellulosomes for the degradation of EPFBF as a sole carbon source. Focused ion beam analysis showed that P. verruculosum COKE4E produced cellulolytic enzymes that were able to effectively biodegrade EPFBF during solid-state fermentation. In this process, 6.5 U of CMCase, 6.8 U of Avicelase, and 8.8 U of xylanase per gram of dry solid EPFBF were produced. These results demonstrate that EPFBF may be a potential raw material in solid-state fermentation for the production of cellulase enzymes to be used for biofuel production.     

Transcellobiosylation Reactions Catalyzed by Different Exoglucanase Components of a Trichoderma viride Cellulase in Aqueous Organic Solvent

The contribution of three exoglucanases from a commercial Trichoderma viride cellulase to transcellobiosylation, and the tolerance of these enzymes to acetonitrile co-solvent were studied. The enzymatic reactions were performed with p-nitrophenyl-β-d-cellobioside as the starting substrate. Among these enzymes, the least anionic exoglucanase (Exo I) showed the highest transcellobiosylation activity and acetonitrile tolerance. Exo I retained considerable activity even in 30% MeCN/water and produced p-nitrophenyl-β-d-cellotetraoside at about 1.5% conversion from the initial substrate in 30% MeCN/water. The residual activity of Exo I after incubation in MeCN/water mixture was almost identical to that of the crude cellulase and a considerable amount of the transcellobiosylation properties of the crude cellulase seemed to be attributable to this Exo I component.     

Accessory enzymes influence cellulase hydrolysis of the model substrate and the realistic lignocellulosic biomass

The potential of cellulase enzymes in the developing and ongoing “biorefinery” industry has provided a great motivation to develop an efficient cellulase mixture. Recent work has shown how important the role that the so-called accessory enzymes can play in an effective enzymatic hydrolysis. In this study, three newest Novozymes Cellic CTec cellulase preparations (CTec 1/2/3) were compared to hydrolyze steam pretreated lignocellulosic substrates and model substances at an identical FPA loading. These cellulase preparations were found to display significantly different hydrolytic performances irrelevant with the FPA. And this difference was even observed on the filter paper itself when the FPA based assay was revisited. The analysis of specific enzyme activity in cellulase preparations demonstrated that different accessory enzymes were mainly responsible for the discrepancy of enzymatic hydrolysis between diversified substrates and various cellulases. Such the active role of accessory enzymes present in cellulase preparations was finally verified by supplementation with β-glucosidase, xylanase and lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases AA9. This paper provides new insights into the role of accessory enzymes, which can further provide a useful reference for the rational customization of cellulase cocktails in order to realize an efficient conversion of natural lignocellulosic substrates.     

Purification and properties of the cellulases from the thermophilic fungus Thermoascus aurantiacus.

Three cellulases and a beta-glucosidase were purified from the culture filtrate of the thermophilic fungus Thermoascus aurantiacus. The isolated enzymes were all homogeneous on polyacrylamide-disc-gel electrophoresis. Data from chromatography on Bio-Gel P-60 and sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis indicated mol.wts. of 87000 (beta-glucosidase), 78000 (cellulase I), 49000 (cellulase II) and 34000 (cellulase III); the carbohydrate contents of the enzymes were 33.0, 5.5, 2.6 and 1.8% (w/w) respectively. Although the three purified cellulases were active towards filter paper, only cellulases I and III were active towards CM(carboxymethyl)-cellulose. Cellulase I was also active towards yeast glucan. The Km and catalytic-centre-activity values for the enzymes were as follows; 0.52 mumol/ml and 6.5 X 10(4) for beta-glucosidase on p-nitrophenyl beta-D-glucoside, 3.9 mg/ml and 6.3 for cellulase I on CM-cellulose, 1.2 mg/ml and 1.1 for cellulase I on yeast glucan, 35.5 mg/ml and 0.34 for cellulase II on filter paper, and 1.9 mg/ml and 33 for cellulase III on CM-cellulose.     

Evaluating the distribution of cellulases and the recycling of free cellulases during the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic substrates

The recycling of cellulase enzymes is one potential strategy for reducing the cost of the enzymatic hydrolysis step during the bioconversion of lignocellulosics to ethanol. To determine the influence of lignin on the post-hydrolysis distribution of cellulase enzymes between the liquid and solid phases, the hydrolysis of Avicel was compared to an organosolv-pretreated Douglas fir substrate with a lignin content of 3.0%. After a 12 h hydrolysis reaction on Avicel, 90% of the added cellulases (including beta-glucosidases) remained "free" in the liquid phase compared to only 65% in the case of the hydrolysis of the organosolv-pretreated Douglas fir substrate. The readsorption of free cellulases by supplementing the hydrolysis reaction with fresh substrate was explored as a potential means of recovering the free cellulases that remain in the liquid phase after hydrolysis. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm was used to develop a model predicting that 82% of the free cellulases could be recovered via readsorption onto fresh substrates during the hydrolysis of an ethanol-pretreated mixed softwood substrate with a lignin content of 6%. Recoverable free cellulase values of 85% and 88% based on cellulase activity and protein content, respectively, were obtained after experimental verification of the model. The readsorption of free cellulases onto fresh lignocellulosic substrates was shown to be an effective method for free enzyme recovery.     

Cellulase and beta-glucosidase production by a basidiomycete species.

The optimisation of cellulase and beta-glucosidase production by a basidiomycete species was studied and cellulase and cellobiase production by this and Trichoderma viride (and its mutants) in shake flasks were compared. The former produced an active cellulase comparable to that of T. viride when tested on filter paper, carboxymethylcellulose, and cotton; however, it produced 20 to 26 times larger amounts of cellobiase. Both cellulase and beta-glucosidase were obtained in good yield only when cellulose was the carbon source. The production of these enzymes was not repressed by readily assimilated carbon sources in the presence of cellulose. Only traces of cellulase and beta-glucosidase were formed on glucose, fructose, maltose, and cellobiose although good growth was obtained on these substrates. These enzymes were not induced on sophorose, lactose, mannitol, or glycerol and growth was poor on these substrates. Cellobiose octaacetate was a less effective inducer of cellulase and beta-glucosidase than was cellulose.     

Effects of agitation level on the adsorption, desorption, and activities on cotton fabrics of full length and core domains of EGV (Humicola insolens) and CenA (Cellulomonas fimi)

The activities (at pH 7 and 50 degrees C) of purified EGV (Humicola insolens) and CenA (Cellulomonas fimi) were determined on cotton fabrics at high and low levels of mechanical agitation. Similar activity measurements were also made by using the core domains of these cellulases. Activity experiments suggested that the presence of cellulose binding domains (CBDs) is not essential for cellulase performance in the textile processes, where high levels of mechanical agitation are applied. The binding reversibilities of these cellulases and their cores were studied by dilution of the treatment liquor after equilibrium adsorption. EGV showed low percentage of adsorption under both levels of agitation. It was observed that the adsorption/desorption processes of cellulases are enhanced by higher mechanical agitation levels and that the binding of cellulase with CBD of family I (EGV) is more reversible than that of CBD of the cellulase of family II (CenA).     

Extraction and partial characterization of cellulases from expanding pea epicotyls

Etiolated pea (Pisum sativum) epicotyls synthesize a buffer-soluble cellulase (cellulase A) and a salt-soluble cellulase (cellulase B) (EC 3.2.1.4) after treatment with high (0.5%) auxin levels. Only cellulase A increased in activity after treatment with low (0.005%) auxin. Cellulase A was released into the supernatant after homogenization of tissue in dilute buffer (buffer-soluble), had a pH optimum at 5.5, was relatively thermostable, and its activity was inhibited by NaCl. Cellulase B was released by 1 m NaCl (salt-soluble) from excised tissue segments or from the insoluble residue remaining after removal of the buffer-soluble form. It had a pH optimum at 7.0, was thermolabile, and required salt for maximum activity. When subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the cellulase fraction released by NaCl from excised segments showed two bands of cellulase activity compared to several for the buffer-soluble fraction. Electrophoretic analysis of the buffer and salt-soluble fractions for marker enzymes indicated the presence of malate dehydrogenase activity in all fractions and glutamate dehydrogenase activity in the buffer-soluble fraction only.