Biocatalytic approach for the utilization of hemicellulose for ethanol
production from agricultural residue using thermostable xylanase and
thermotolerant yeast
A hydrolysis of 62% and 50% for OSX (Oat spelt xylan) and WBH (Wheat bran hemicellulose) were
obtained in 36 h and 48 h using Accellerase™ 1000 at 50 C wherein thermostable xylanase from alkalothermophilic
Thermomonospora sp. yielded 67% (OSX) in 3 h and 58% (WBH) in 24 h at 60 C, favouring a
reduction in process time and enzyme dosage. The rate of hydrolysis with thermostable xylanase was
increased by 20% with the addition of nonionic surfactant tween 80 or biosurfactant sophorolipid. The
simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of OSX and WBH using thermostable xylanase
and D. hansenii in batch cultures produced 9.1 g/L and 9.5 g/L of ethanol, respectively and had a shorter
overall process time than the separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF). The immobilized yeast cells in
Ca-alginate matrix produced ethanol with a yield of 0.46 g/g from hemicellulosic hydrolysates and were
reused six times with 100% fermentation efficiency.