Harnessing Deep Eutectic Solvents for Greener Medium Engineering and Enhanced Cellulase Activity

The growing depletion of fossil fuels and climate concerns have spurred interest in renewable biomass, particularly lignocellulosic biomass (LCB), as a sustainable feedstock for biofuel production. Among its components, cellulose is a major target for enzymatic hydrolysis due to its potential to yield fermentable sugars. Traditional multistep processes involving LCB pretreatment and hydrolysis are being challenged by more efficient single-pot methods. Recently, deep eutectic solvents (DESs)—particularly those sourced from natural compounds—have gained attention as environmentally friendly alternatives for lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) pretreatment, offering notable compatibility with cellulase enzymes. However, studies exploring the effects of DESs on cellulase activity and stability are still limited. This study investigates the interaction of fourteen different DESs—differing in hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) and acceptors (HBAs)—with cellulase enzyme. Results indicate that choline chloride-polyol-based DESs enhance enzyme stability and activity, making them promising candidates for integrated one-pot LCB conversion processes.