Applying biorefinery concepts for sugarcane straw upcycling using alkaline and enzymatic treatments to produce value-added compounds and bioenergy

Author(s)

Tramontina, Robson ; Scopel, Eupidio ; Brenelli, Livia ; Nogueira, Guilherme P. ; Franco, Telma T. ; Rezende, Camila A. ; Goldbeck, Rosana ; Squina, Fabio M.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BIOMASS & BIOENERGY; v. 178, p. 9-pg., 2023-10-12.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop a sugarcane straw biorefinery that targets the valorization of glucan, hemicellulose, and lignin streams generated through sequential and integrated treatments. Complementary biocatalytic strategies include ferulic acid isolation and biotransformation into high-value compounds, such as coniferol (a molecule with broad application in chemical synthesis) using a genetically engineered Escherichia coli strain (BL21-pROB) and xylooligosaccharides (XOS) using a feruloyl esterase and xylanase chimeric enzyme (XynZ). This biorefinery scheme also considers lignin recovery for solid biofuel and lignin nanoparticle synthesis. The evaluation of integration scenarios showed that a mild-alkaline pretreatment followed by enzymatic hy-drolysis with XynZ and subsequent biotransformation with BL21-pROB strain, saccharification, and fermentation steps allowed up to 85% (w/w) of sugarcane straw plant cell wall component conversion into coniferol, XOS, fermentable sugars, bioethanol, lignin nanoparticles, and solid biofuel. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/19360-3 - Plant cell wall-inspired nanocomposite hydrogels for biomedical applications
• Grantee: Eupídio Scopel
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/15477-8 - Development of a low severity pretreatment process for the production of sugarcane straw oligosaccharides
• Grantee: Lívia Beatriz Brenelli de Paiva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 15/50612-8 - An integrated approach to explore a novel paradigm for biofuel production from lignocellulosic feedstocks
• Grantee: Telma Teixeira Franco
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/05784-3 - EMU approved in grant 15 / 50590-4: chromatographic system and detectors for analysis of sugars and lignocellulosic monolignols
• Grantee: Fábio Márcio Squina
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• FAPESP's process: 18/23769-1 - Preparation and applications of nanostructures from plant biomass
• Grantee: Camila Alves de Rezende
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 22/08958-8 - Development of microorganisms and thermophilic enzymes involved in the degradation and upcycling of fossil plastics
• Grantee: Fábio Márcio Squina
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 21/04254-3 - Development of Biorefinery concepts via coumaric acid conversion into high-value compounds
• Grantee: Robson Tramontina
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 15/50590-4 - Lignin valorization in cellulosic ethanol plants: biocatalytic conversion via ferulic acid to high value chemicals
• Grantee: Fábio Márcio Squina
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Thematic Grants