I am working on an experiment to produce bioethanol from Ulva lactuca. In the pretreatment process I am using 5 g in 100 ml 0.4 N HCl at 121oC for 20 mins. After this procedure I add about 4560 U cellulase ( 1490 U/g). I know in the bioethanol industry cost of enzyme is extremely high. So one of my focus is to introduce enzyme reusability. I have looked at various journals. Some explain like for example, first add cellulase to your sample after 24 hours centrifuge and then remove the supernatant and then reuse the solid material for another fresh batch of pretreated slurry. My question is which part of the hydrolysate can I use to hydrolyse my next batch? The solid material (which is the lignocellulose waste) or the supernatant? The Cellulase I am using is Cellulase AP3 and is optimum at pH 4.5 at a temperature of 45oC. I am really looking forward to your expert opinions.
Certainly cellulase molecules will become adsorbed on the solid making them useless. Active enzyme should be in the supernatant. Another option will be to try recovering the adsorbed enzyme by adding a surfactant.
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