Chapter 15: Assessing Cellulase Performance on Pretreated Lignocellulosic Biomass Using Saccharification and Fermentation-Based Protocols

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

10 Scopus Citations

Abstract

Cellulase enzyme is a key cost component in the production of fuels and chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass. Cellulolytic ability of the enzyme preparation is often measured by activity assays using model substrates such as filter paper. Using lignocellulosic biomass as the substrate to assess enzyme performance has the potential of being more process relevant. We describe two procedures that use washed pretreated cellulosic material to measure the efficacy of cellulase enzymes. First, a saccharification assay that measures glucose yield as a function of the amount of cellulase used in the process. And second, the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) assay measures cellulase performance by the amount of ethanol produced from enzymatic hydrolysis of the cellulosic material. You can use both assays to screen cellulases under a variety of substrate types, loadings, and process conditions.

Original languageAmerican English
Title of host publicationBiofuels: Methods and Protocols
Subtitle of host publicationMethods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 581
Pages233-245
Number of pages13
Volume581
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009

Publication series

NameMethods in Molecular Biology
PublisherHumana Press
ISSN (Print)1064-3745

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/CH-510-44141

Keywords

  • biomass
  • cillulases
  • ethanol
  • lignocellulose
  • pretreatment
  • saccharification
  • simultaneous saccharification and fermentation

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