Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
7079831 | Bioresource Technology | 2014 | 9 Pages |
Abstract
The thermophilic bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor bescii grows at 78 °C on high concentrations (200 g Lâ1) of both crystalline cellulose and unpretreated switchgrass, while low concentrations (<20 g Lâ1) of acid-pretreated switchgrass inhibit growth. Degradation of crystalline cellulose, but not that of unpretreated switchgrass, was limited by nitrogen and vitamin (folate) availability. Under optimal conditions, C. bescii solubilized approximately 60% of the crystalline cellulose and 30% of the unpretreated switchgrass using initial substrate concentrations of 50 g Lâ1. Further fermentation of crystalline cellulose and of switchgrass was inhibited by organic acid end-products and by a specific inhibitor of C. bescii growth that did not affect other thermophilic bacteria, respectively. Soluble mono- and oligosaccharides, organic acids, carbon dioxide, and microbial biomass, quantitatively accounted for the crystalline cellulose and plant biomass carbon utilized. C. bescii therefore degrades industrially-relevant concentrations of lignocellulosic biomass that have not undergone pretreatment thereby demonstrating its potential utility in biomass conversion.
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Authors
Mirko Basen, Amanda M. Rhaesa, Irina Kataeva, Cameron J. Prybol, Israel M. Scott, Farris L. Poole, Michael W.W. Adams,