Advancing Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Lignocellulosic Biomass
ID: 3502

Abstract: Biological conversion of cellulosic biomass to fuels and chemicals offers the high yields to products vital to economic success and the potential for very low costs. Enzymatic hydrolysis by enzymes, which convert polymeric carbohydrates to fermentable sugars, may be the most complex step in this process due to substrate-related and enzyme-related effects. Although enzymatic hydrolysis offers higher yields, lower by-products, lower energy costs and milder operating conditions than chemical processes, the mechanism of enzymatic hydrolysis and the relationship between the substrate structure and function of various cellulase components have not been extensively studied, and consequently limited research has been done on to maximize sugar yields at very low cost. More importantly, questions about how to match substrate pretreatment and enzymes for low cost hydrolysis must be answered to facilitate commercialization at low cost of ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass. This panel will explore recent progress in understanding cellulose recalcitrance and new approaches to overcome it.

Proposed panel speakers and their affiliations:

1. Drs. Bin Yang and Charles E Wyman (University of California, Riverside) work on improving the fundamental understanding of interactions between biomass components and enzymes during enzymatic hydrolysis to gain insight that will facilitate selection of new technologies and lead to step change biological processes cost reductions;

2. Drs. Ed Larenas and Colin Mitchinson (Genencor International, Inc.) leads the development of new cellulase systems for biomass converion;

3. Drs. Shuyou Ding (NREL) works on combining microscopic and spectroscopic modalities that allow us to characterize biomass conversion processes at high spatial and chemical resolution to monitor molecular interaction and reaction between plant cell wall polymers and cellulolytic microbes and their secreted enzymes;

4. Dr. Kevin Gray (Verenium Corporation) focuses on high throughput screening methodologies to discover and develop high performance de novo enzyme cocktails of novel cellulose and hemicellulose degrading enzymes.



Landon Steele

Authors

Dr. Wayne Ashton, Senior Director Global Textiles, Genencor

Dr Glenn Nedwin, Executive Vice President Technical Enzymes, Genencor

Dr. Frans Van Gastel, Scientist, Genencor

Dr. Luis Cascao Pereira, Scientist, Genencor

Introduction

The Textile industry is dynamic, centered in emerging low labour cost geographies and is considered to be one of the most polluting industries worldwide. The industry is growing as living standards increase and as the huge domestic markets of China and the Indian sub continent purchase more clothing and become fashion conscious. The new geographies where processing occurs are becoming environmentally conscious and imposing effluent standards with closure for violators. In short there is a need for sustainable solutions as the industry faces increased regulatory pressures and increased processing constraints. In addition the leading merchandisers are promoting sustainability, implementing their own programs which is dictating consumer purchasing trends. This presentation will address novel enzymatic solutions being applied to address the environmental concerns, as well as for new product development.

Biobased enzyme solutions for wet processing

The wet processing sector of textiles is considered the most environmentally hazardous; it uses high amounts of water and energy and harsh chemicals, and the effluent may contain high levels of harmful substances. Therefore, there is a high demand to replace the traditional textile processes with more sustainable alternatives.

Industrial biotechnology is growing in importance to develop sustainable ways for producing industrial products, including enzymes from fermentation. During the last two decades, enzymes have emerged as an important processing aid in the textile industry.

Introduction of cellulase enzymes working in low temperatures have resulted in water and energy savings. Another step toward sustainability is the development of enzymatic systems to adjust the colour of denim by creating cast and shade changes using laccase enzyme-mediator systems.

Modern molecular genetics are being used to further improve sustainability by designing the right enzyme molecules for specific processes. PrimaGreen EcoWhite 1 is an enzymatic system designed for pre-treating cotton and cotton synthetic blends giving equivalent whiteness at a considerably lower temperature, at neutral pH , lower effluent processing and salt loads. Due to its gentle action, PrimaGreen EcoWhite1 enzyme treatment results in an increase in fibre weight. The additional enzymatic performance advantages include an extremely soft fast and permanent handle which cannot be matched by softener addition.

This unique enzymatic system provides all the performance benefits that merchandisers are seeking while replacing harsh chemicals with a sustainable textile process. This presentation will focus on the next generation of sustainable textile processing.

Conclusions

This presentation will provide an overview of industrial biotechnology applications to enhance sustainability in textile processing. Attendees will gain an understanding of the textile industry’s increasing demands for environmentally sound solutions to meet industry and regulatory requirements, including reduction of harsh chemicals and polluting effluence, and specific enzyme solutions that are helping to meet that need















Moderator: Justin Stege, Verenium Corporation (United States)

Presenter 1: Key Factors Controlling Hydrolysis of Cellulose in Pretreated Biomass
Bin Yang, University of California, Riverside, (United States)  [Confirmed]

Presenter 2: Recent Progress in Enzymes for Biomass Hydrolysis 
Landon Steele, Genencor® A Danisco Division, (United States)  [Confirmed]

Presenter 3: Understanding the Interaction Between Microbe, Enzyme and Biomass by Advanced Imaging 
Shi-You Ding, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, (United States)  [Confirmed]

Presenter 4 (if necessary): Seeking Harmony Between Pretreatment and Hydrolysis 
Bradley Saville, SunOpta BioProcess Inc, (Canada)  [Confirmed]

Panel Organizer:
Bin Yang, University of California, Riverside, (United States)

Why should your submission should be selected for this year’s program?
We believe that our panel topic will shed new light on competitive strategies for enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic biomass. In addition to their fundamental significance, these talks will be of importance in the context of processes for biological conversion of cellulosic biomass into fuels and chemicals. In particular, it is anticipated that substantial new information will be provided with bearing on issues such as integration with new enzymes and their hydrolysis of pretreated biomass at both the theoretical and practical level.