The optimal temperature for the saccharification of noncontaminated canola biomass was also screened over a broad range (20–40 C).
Maximal release of RS (361.7 mg) and subsequent hydrolysis was observed at 35 C (Fig. 2).
This is in agreement with the optimal behavior of several lignocellulases produced by the fungal consortium.
Any increase or decrease in temperature from 35 C resulted in a lower production of RS; this behavior is a consequence of enzyme kinetics (Fig. 2).
The highest amount of RS (386.7 mg) was observed with a biomass concentration of 1.5% (w/v); concentrations above this caused substrate inhibition.
While screening for the suitable SC, hydrolysis of 1% (w/v) biomass with 12.5 FPU over 36 h of incubation resulted in 69.4% ± 6% SY.
Thus, an increase in SC does not lead to an increase in the final SY, due to enzyme inhibition (Fig. 2).
Optimization of pH for saccharification reaction was not performed, as the pH (5.0) of the consortium enzyme solution was already optimum for most of the lignocellulases produced by the fungal consortium.
Moreover, pH 5.0 was also suitable for the growth of the yeasts in the subsequent fermentation [24].