Enzyme-Catalyzed Saccharification of Model Celluloses in the Presence of Lignacious Residues

Experiments were designed to determine the relevance of enzyme partitioning, between the cellulose and non-cellulose components of pretreated biomass, with respect to rates of cellulose saccharification in a typical biomass-to-ethanol process. The experimental system included three cellulose preparations (differing in physicochemical properties): a representative lignin-rich noncellulosic residue (prepared from dilute acid-pretreated switchgrass), an acid-extracted lignin preparation, and a complete Trichoderma reesei cellulase preparation. Enzyme-reactor conditions were typical of those commonly used in biomass-to-ethanol studies. The results were found to be dependent on both the lignin and cellulose preparations used. The noncellulosic lignacious residue, when supplemented at up to 40% (w/w) in cellulose-cellulase reaction mixtures, had little effect on rates and extents of cellulose saccharification. Overall, the results suggest that enzyme partitioning between cellulose and the noncellulosic component of a pretreated feedstock is not likely to have a major impact on cellulose saccharification in typical biomass-to-ethanol processes.