Hydrolytic potential of five fungal supernatants to enhance a commercial enzyme cocktail.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the potential of enzyme cocktails produced by five filamentous fungi to supplement the industrial cellulase cocktail, Celluclast 1.5L, in order to improve the efficiency of saccharification.

RESULTS

The fungi were cultivated on wheat bran and the resulting supernatants were combined with Celluclast in enzymatic hydrolysis experiments to test their ability to hydrolyze wheat bran and five cellulose-rich substrates. The supernatant showing the best performance was that from an Aspergillus niger cellulase mutant. The addition of β-glucosidase only to the Celluclast cocktail was not as beneficial.

CONCLUSION

Supplementing commercial cocktails with enzymes from carefully selected fungi may result in significantly more efficient saccharification of lignocellulosic materials. Furthermore, such an approach could lead to the identification of novel enzyme activities crucial for saccharification.