Enzymatic formulation strategies unlock highly-efficient saccharification of distinct pretreated corncobs

Optimization of the composition of enzyme cocktail is an effective way to improve the hydrolytic efficiency and reduce the cost during enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulose. Herein, the optimal enzymes ratios of enzyme cocktails for efficient hydrolysis of corncobs with distinct pretreatments were quantitatively formulated. As the importance of pretreatment type on xylan extraction, the optimized cellulase/hemicellulase ratios for NaClO2, H2SO4 and steam explosion treated corncob were 1:1.5, 1:0.15 and 1:0.75, respectively. Meanwhile, different requirements for types of cellulases are also determined: endoglucanase and cellobiohydrolase were key enzymes in the hydrolysis of NaClO2 and H2SO4 treated corncobs, respectively, while the synergy of three kinds of cellulases was preferred for steam-exploded corncob. Furthermore, based on the optimized cellulase/hemicellulase ratios, cellulases proportions for hydrolyzing the corncobs pretreated with distinctive methods were determined. Notably, by the enzymatic formulation strategy, 100% yields of glucose and xylose were obtained simultaneously from NaClO2 treated corncob, which was up to 70.1% and 80.1% at high solid loading (20%), respectively. Without detoxification of hydrolysate, high isopropanol yield of 0.45 g/g (of dry matter) was achieved. Hence, this study demonstrated a low cost and high efficient conversion strategy for prospective high-value utilization of lignocellulose.