Enzymatic hydrolysis of corncob residues of furfural manufacture and optimum conditions for cellulose conversion

Saccharification of lignocellulose is a key cost center in the overall bioconversion process. Enzymatic hydrolysis of corncob residues of furfural manufacture(CRFM) was investigated to study the feasibility of mass production of ethanol. Compositional analysis results showed that 3.1% of hemicellulose and 31.6% of cellulose existed in CRFM, which demonstrated that the furfural production process could be regarded as pretreatment of lignocellulose for consequent bioconversion. Parameter optimization of hydrolysis was performed and optimal conditions were as follows: 6.7 FPU of enzymes loading per gram substrate, solid-liquid ratio of 1:6, pH5.2, shaking at 80 r/min. The addition of Tween 80 had more positive effect on enzymatic hydrolysis of CRFM with comparatively low enzyme loading (6.7 FPU/g) than the higher one (10 FPU/g). Cellulose conversion of CRFM hydrolysis was promoted up to 78% under the optimal conditions mentioned above. So co-production of ethanol with CRFM may be a potential way for the industrialized production of ethanol.