Cellulase Production from Spent Lignocellulose Hydrolysates by Recombinant Aspergillus niger

A recombinant Aspergillus niger strain expressing the Hypocrea jecorina endoglucanase Cel7B was grown on spent hydrolysates (stillage) from sugarcane bagasse and spruce wood. The spent hydrolysates served as excellent growth media for the Cel7B-producing strain, A. niger D15[egI], which displayed higher endoglucanase activities in the spent hydrolysates than in standard medium with a comparable monosaccharide content (e.g., 2,100 nkat/ml in spent bagasse hydrolysate compared to 480 nkat/ml in standard glucose-based medium). In addition, A. niger D15[egI] was also able to consume or convert other lignocellulose-derived compounds, such as acetic acid, furan aldehydes, and phenolic compounds, which are recognized as inhibitors of yeast during ethanolic fermentation. The results indicate that enzymes can be produced from the stillage stream as a high-value coproduct in second-generation bioethanol plants in a way that also facilitates recirculation of process water.Energy security, petroleum depletion, and global warming have been the main driving forces for the development of renewable fuels that can replace petroleum-derived fuels, such as gasoline and diesel. Bioethanol is currently the most commonly used renewable automobile fuel. It is largely produced by fermentation of sugar- or starch-containing feedstocks, such as cane sugar, corn, and wheat. However, the supply of these crops is relatively limited and many of them can be considered human food resources. Lignocellulose is a more-abundant and less-expensive raw material with the potential to give a high net energy gain (11, 17).In the production of bioethanol from lignocellulosic materials, hydrolytic enzymes, such as cellulases and cellobiases, can be used to convert the lignocellulosic polysaccharides to monosaccharides. Microorganisms can be used to ferment the monosaccharides to ethanol. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is one of the most suitable microorganisms for ethanol production and is favored in industrial processes. However, S. cerevisiae only metabolizes hexose sugars. Many lignocellulosic materials consist of a significant proportion of xylan and arabinan, which give rise to pentose sugars. The cost of enzymes for the hydrolysis of polysaccharides and the inability of S. cerevisiae to utilize pentose sugars have been pointed out as two bottlenecks for commercialization of cellulosic ethanol production (9, 25). Considerable research efforts have therefore been focused on reducing the enzyme cost by producing more-efficient enzymes from cheaper growth media (25). Other efforts have been focused on different approaches to convert pentose sugars to ethanol by using recombinant microorganisms (3, 10).A novel approach to reduce the enzyme cost and to optimally utilize all sugars generated from lignocellulose would be to produce hydrolytic enzymes, such as cellulases, from the pentose fraction remaining after consumption of hexoses by S. cerevisiae (Fig. ​(Fig.1).1). The cellulases produced can then be used on site in the next round of hydrolysis of the lignocellulosic feedstock and thereby reduce the dependence on externally produced enzymes.Open in a separate windowFIG. 1.Schematic representation of the experimental approach and on-site enzyme production in a cellulose-to-ethanol process.Furthermore, it is desirable to recycle the process water in an ethanol production plant to minimize the production costs. However, lignocellulose hydrolysates are very complex and contain a wide range of different compounds. Some of these compounds, such as furan aldehydes, aliphatic acids, and phenolic compounds, inhibit the yeast S. cerevisiae, which results in lower ethanol yield and productivity. Recycling of the process water can lead to a buildup in the concentration of inhibitors, which is a phenomenon that has been pointed out as an obstacle to reusing the stillage stream (1, 35). There are several methods to avoid inhibitor-related problems, but they are often associated with additional process cost (40). However, A. niger is an organism that can utilize a broad range of compounds as nutrients, possibly including compounds that inhibit S. cerevisiae. It would be convenient if the A. niger cells could metabolize such compounds and thereby, due to the removal of inhibitors, make it more feasible to reuse the process water.In this study, we explored the possibility of utilizing sugarcane bagasse and spruce wood for ethanol production and using the spent hydrolysates (stillage) for production of the Hypocrea jecorina cellulase Cel7B (formerly called endoglucanase I) by a recombinant strain of Aspergillus niger. Simultaneously, the Cel7B-producing recombinant A. niger strain also removed inhibitory lignocellulose-derived products, thus facilitating recycling of process water.     

黑曲霉GD-6纤维素酶液体发酵条件的研究

采用黑曲霉 (Aspergillusniger)GD 6液体发酵生产纤维素酶 ,研究了碳源、氮源、培养基起始 pH值、接种量、摇床转速、通气量对该菌株产纤维素酶活力的影响。结果表明 ,GD 6的最适发酵温度为 2 8～ 3 0℃ ,产酶pH为 5 .5～ 6.0 ,摇床最适转速为 1 5 0r/min ,最佳接种量为 1 0 %。在以 6.0 %稻草粉为碳源、1 %豆饼粉为氮源时产酶活力最高。在最适培养条件下 ,发酵周期为 1 2 0h,发酵液中CMC酶活为 1 88.6U/mL ,FP酶活为 2 7.0U/mL。     

Cellulase production from Aspergillus niger MS82: effect of temperature and pH

Fungal cellulases are well-studied enzymes and are used in various industrial processes. Much of the knowledge of enzymatic depolymerization of cellulosic material has come from Trichoderma cellulase system. Species of Trichoderma can produce substantial amounts of endoglucanase and exoglucanase but very low levels of β-glucosidase. This deficiency necessitates screening of fungi for cellulytic potential. A number of indigenously isolated fungi were screened for cellulytic potential. In the present study, the kinetics of cellulase production from an indigenous strain of Aspergillus niger MS82 is reported. Product formation parameters of endoglucanase and β-glucosidase (Q_p + Y_p/s) indicate that A. niger MS82 is capable of producing moderate to high levels of both endoglucanase and β-glucosidase when grown on different carbon containing natural substrates, for example, grass, corncob, bagasse along side purified celluloses. Furthermore, it was observed that the production of endoglucanase reaches its maximum during exponential phase of growth, while β-glucosidase during the Stationary phase. Enzyme production by solid-state fermentation was also investigated and found to be promising. Highest production of cellulase was noted at pH 4.0 at 35 °C under submerged conditions. Growth and enzyme production was affected by variations in temperature and pH.     

Production of the Enzyme Naringinase by Aspergillus niger

[This corrects the article on p. 842 in vol. 13.].     

Production of the Enzyme Naringinase by Aspergillus niger

The formation of naringinase, a glycolytic enzyme produced by Aspergillus niger, is repressed by glucose. Production of the enzyme is decreased below pH 4.0 and is stimulated by the presence of substrate. Fermentation conditions are described which cause the formation of the enzyme in approximately a fivefold greater concentration than that previously described.     

Cellulase production by Aspergillus niger in biofilm, solid-state, and submerged fermentations

Cellulase production by Aspergillus niger was compared in three different culture systems: biofilm, solid-state, and submerged fermentation. Biofilm and solid-state fermentations were carried out on perlite as inert support, and lactose was used as a carbon source in the three culture systems. In cryo-scanning electron microscopy, biofilm and solid-state cultures gave similar morphological patterns and confirmed that both spore first attachment and hyphal adhered growth are helped by the production of an adhesive extracellular matrix. Biofilm cultures produced higher cellulase activities than those in submerged and solid-state cultures (1,768, 1,165, and 1,174 U l⁻¹, respectively). Although biofilm cultures grew less than the other cultures, they produced significantly higher cellulase yields (370, 212, and 217 U g⁻¹ lactose, respectively) and volumetric productivities (24, 16, and 16 U l⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively). Likewise, endoglucanase and xylanase activities were higher in biofilm cultures. Under the conditions tested, it seems that fungal attached growth on perlite may favor better enzyme production. Biofilms are efficient systems for cellulase production and may replace solid-state fermentation. Biofilm fermentation holds promise for further optimization and development. The results of this work reveal that fungal biofilms may be used for the commercial production of cellulase employing the technology developed for submerged fermentation at high cell densities.     

Properties of cellobiase from Aspergillus niger

Summary Cellobiase enzyme was partially purified from the culture filtrate of Aspergillus niger AS-101 and the general and kinetic properties of the enzyme were examined. The enzyme was unstable on storage. However, it was protected by the addition of BSA, glycerol or sodium azide. Addition of glycerol also protected the enzyme from denaturation due to freezing and thawing. Effect of thiol group reagents revealed the presence of — SH groups at the active site of the enzyme. Different modulators such as metal ions and macroionic compounds illustrated varying effects on the purified cellobiase. Offprint requests to: A. Singh     

Purification and Characterization of a Dimethoate-Degrading Enzyme of Aspergillus niger ZHY256, Isolated from Sewage

A dimethoate-degrading enzyme from Aspergillus niger ZHY256 was purified to homogeneity with a specific activity of 227.6 U/mg of protein. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 66 kDa by gel filtration and 67 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The isoelectric point was found to be 5.4, and the enzyme activity was optimal at 50°C and pH 7.0. The activity was inhibited by most of the metal ions and reagents, while it was induced by Cu²⁺. The Michaelis constant (K_m) and V_max for dimethoate were 1.25 mM and 292 μmol min⁻¹ mg of protein⁻¹, respectively.     

Ultrasound effects on invertase from Aspergillus niger

Ultrasound effects on the release and activity of invertase from Aspergillus niger cultivated in a medium containing sucrose and peptone and in another with sugar-cane molasses and peptone were investigated. Irradiation was conducted for periods of 2–10 min. with waves of amplitude 20 and 40 using an ultrasound processor of 20 kHz. Product formation was determined as reducing equivalents formed by time units using 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid. Total and specific activities of the culture supernatants were compared in the presence and absence of sonication. Both amplitudes promoted a significant increase of total invertase activity in the time periods investigated and the highest values were obtained with an amplitude of 20. Ultrasound irradiation caused cell disruption, thus releasing invertase and, after 4 min, activation of the enzyme also occurred. The best conditions for production, extraction and activation of invertase were in molasses medium containing peptone and irradiation with ultrasound waves at 20 for 8 min. This method showed high efficiency for the extraction and activation of invertase from A. niger as well as a great potential for use in industrial processes.     

Oxalate accumulation from citrate by Aspergillus niger

Carbon-14 was incorporated from citrate-1,5-¹⁴C, glyoxylate-¹⁴C(U), or glyoxylate-1-¹⁴C into oxalate by cultures of Aspergillus niger pregrown on a medium with glucose as the sole source of carbon. Glyoxylate-¹⁴C(U) was superior to glyoxylate-1-¹⁴C and citrate-1,5-¹⁴C as a source of incorporation. By addition of a great amount of citrate the accumulation of oxalate was accelerated and its maximum yield increased. In a cell-free extract from mycelium forming oxalate from citrate the enzyme oxaloacetate hydrolase (EC 3.7.1.1) was identified. Its in vitro activity per flask exceeded the rate of in vivo accumulation of oxalate. Glyoxylate oxidizing enzymes (glycolate oxidase, EC 1.1.3.1; glyoxylate oxidase, EC 1.2.3.5; NAD(P)-dependent glyoxylate dehydrogenase; glyoxylate dehydrogenase, CoA-oxalylating, EC 1.2.1.17) could not be detected in cell-free extracts. It is concluded that in cultures accumulating oxalate from citrate after pregrowth on glucose, oxalate arises by hydrolytic cleavage of oxaloacetate but not by oxidation of glyoxylate.Abbreviations Used DCPIP 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol     

Properties of a beta-D-mannosidase from Aspergillus niger

The beta-D-mannosidase (beta-D-mannoside mannohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.25) from culture filtrate of Aspergillus niger has been purified in large amounts by fractionation with (NH4)2SO4 and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The removal of traces of alpha-D-galactosidase was performed on a Sepharose-epsilon-aminocaproyl-galactosylamine column. The final enzyme preparation (specific activity 188 units) has no other glycosidase activity and is judged homogeneous. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 130 000 +/- 5000 and an isoelectric point of 4.7. The amino acid composition of the enzyme is characterized by high proportion of acidic amino acids and no cysteine residues and a single chain structure of the enzyme is suggested. The enzyme shows maximum activity on p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-mannopyrano-side at pH 3.5 and at 55 degrees C. The presence of 80% of beta-sheet structure in the protein and 20.8% of monosaccharides (Gal : 1.3; Man : 7; GlcNAc : 1) could explain this relative high heat stability (up to 2 h at 55 degrees C). Enzyme activity is inhibited by mannose (Ki = 7.85 mM) and the specificity is examined.     

黑曲霉中疏水蛋白基因种类分析

疏水蛋白对丝状真菌的形态有重要影响。现以基因序列的同源性、所编码氨基酸中8个半胱氨酸保守模式、氨基酸序列的水缘性图谱等指标对黑曲霉中可能的疏水蛋白基因进行分析。根据基因序列的同源性,将20个可能的黑曲霉疏水蛋白基因归为8个。这8个可能的疏水蛋白基因编码的蛋白质具有8个半胱氨酸保守模式和较高的基因序列同源性,在半胱氨酸保守模式上都属于I类疏水蛋白,但在水缘性图谱上其中只有2个疏水蛋白属于I类疏水蛋白。此外,这8个疏水蛋白的氨基酸序列同源性仅为0.5%。研究结果对黑曲霉中可能的疏水蛋白基因进行了梳理,将对研究疏水蛋白在丝状真菌形态控制中的作用具有重要意义。