Flow configuration and Packing Density of Sugarcane Bagasse and Wheat Bran Affecting Enzymes Production by Solid-State Fermentation

Author(s)

Casciatori, Fernanda Perpetua ; Mafra, Nilton Silva Costa ; Rodrigues, Natalia Alvarez ; Sales, Everton Holanda ; Maia, Mariana Moreira Sidel ; Dias, Ana Caroline Pereira ; Grajales, Lina Maria

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BioEnergy Research; v. N/A, p. 11-pg., 2023-09-26.

Abstract

Cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic enzymes are essential to make feasible the fully biochemical route for second-generation ethanol production. Solid-state fermentation figures as a low-cost and sustainable way of obtaining such enzymes by using agro-industrial by-products as substrates. In the current paper, thermal conditions and enzymatic activities from the cultivations of Myceliophthora thermophila, Trichoderma reesei, and Aspergillus niger were evaluated. Mixtures of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) as fibers or powder and wheat bran (WB) were used as substrates within a packed-bed bioreactor with variable packing density, as well as under two fluid flow configurations. Using SCB as fibers and WB 7:3 w/w (packing density 0.1 g/cm(3)) for M. thermophila, endoglucanase and xylanase activities overcame 850 and 3850 U/g, with temperature rise < 1 degree celsius. Cultivations of M. thermophila and T. reesei in pure WB or with SCB as powder led to temperature rises of 7 to 16 degree celsius, due to lower bed porosity. A. niger cultivations provided endoglucanase activities around 15 U/g under 8 oC of maximum temperature rise, with no difference among percolating air and jacket water flowing in co- or counter current. The reported results address the importance of a strategic definition of the porous media composition and packing technique for a successful scale-up of the bioprocess, while giving operational flexibility in terms of fluid flow configuration. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/10636-8 - From the cell factory to the Biodiesel-Bioethanol integrated biorefinery: a systems approach applied to complex problems in micro and macroscales
• Grantee: Roberto de Campos Giordano
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Thematic Grants