Augmentation of the biodisposition of simple sugars from sorghum biomass mediated with biotechnologic processes

The results of the enzymatic hydrolysis of pectin, hemicellulose and cellulose in the biomass of sweet sorghum (Sorghum vulgare var. saccharatum, L.) are reported. Some commercial enzymatic preparations were used: Maxazym CL 2000 (with prevailing cellulase activity), Rapidase C 80 (with prevailing pectinase activity) Rohament PC (mainly with pectinase and cellulase activities) and Rohament O (mainly with pectinase and hemicellulase activities). The treatment with Rohament PC, Rohament O and Rapidase C 80 gives an increase of the glucose content higher than the effect induced by Maxazym CL 2000. On the other hand, the cellulase and pectinase combined treatment (Maxazym CL 2000 + Rapidase C 80 or Maxazym CL 2000 + Rohament O) shows a good synergistic effect in the degradation of the plant cell wall cellulosic material.