Efficient saccharification for non-treated cassava pulp by supplementation of Clostridium thermocellum cellulosome and Thermoanaerobacter brockii β-glucosidase

Cassava pulp containing 60% starch and 20% cellulose is a promising renewable source for bioethanol. The starch granule was observed to tightly bind cellulose fiber. To achieve an efficient degradation for cassava pulp, saccharification tests without pre-gelatinization treatment were carried out using combination of commercial α-amylase with cellulosome from Clostridium thermocellum S14 and β-glucosidase (rCglT) from Thermoanaerobacter brockii. The saccharification rate for cassava pulp was shown 59% of dry matter. To obtain maximum saccharification rate, glucoamylase (GA) from C. thermocellum S14 was supplemented to the combination. The result showed gradual increase in the saccharification rate to 74% (dry matter). Supplementation of GA to the combination of commercial α-amylase, cellulosome and rCglT is powerful method for efficient saccharification of cassava pulp without pretreatment.