Expression of neutral β-glucosidase from Scytalidium thermophilum in Candida glabrata for ethanol production from alkaline-pretreated rice straw

We successfully expressed the neutral β-glucosidase (BGL4) from Scytalidium thermophilum in the thermotolerant yeast Candida glabrata. Compared to the strain expressing Aspergillus acidic β-glucosidase (BGL1), the BGL4-expressing strain showed a higher cellobiose fermentation ability at pH 6.0 and 40°C, leading to a higher ethanol production from alkaline-pretreated rice straw.