Right now i am planing to perform a hydrolysis on seaweed. The problem I have is that I am inexperienced and have never done it before. So first I am planning to take 5 grams of the seaweed and put it into 0.4 N HCL 100 ml after that place it into the autoclave at 121 degrees C for 20 minutes. My question is I am not sure after the 20 minutes, should I discard the supernatant or discard the solid. I believe that I should discard the liquid part and then use the solid material in the second step which is enzyme hydrolysis using cellulase and after this enzyme hydrolysis process should i keep the liquid part and discard the solid. I am sorry if this is asking you too much but I am really hoping if you guys can help me. The goal of my experiment is to perform and acid and enzymatic hydrolysis on seaweed. I will then use the hydrolysate for bioethanol production.
Dear Dan,
For your study, you must optimize the hydrolysis condition by changing the acid concentration and autoclave timing. After autoclave, the liquid part may contain C5-C6 sugars, analyse them by HPLC. While the solid part (usually cellulose/lignin) can be allowed for enzymatic hydrolysis to get more sugars. After enzymatic hydrolysis, you may leave the solid waste and use the liquid hydrolysates for ethanol production. Its the liquid fraction which will contain the sugars in both the cases.
I hope it will be of help.
Regards
Prasun
Dear Dan
Methodology you are using is ok. After enzymatic treatment use liquid part for sugar estimation and analysis. Selection of biomass pretreatment method is based on nature of biomass and purpose you want to use produced biosugars, as during the pretreatment process various side prodcuts get produced which further effect fermentation process. To get an idea you can read our latest article on this issue.
Article Current status and strategies for second generation biofuel ...
The liquid part is rather acidic, You must change the pH close to neutral in order not to destroy Your enzymes. Check for the pH-optimum of the enzyme used.
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