Evaluation of operational parameters on the precipitation of endoglucanase and xylanase produced by solid state fermentation of Aspergillus niger

• Main Authors: C. S. Farinas, L. M. Scarpelini, E. A. Miranda, V. Bertucci Neto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazilian Society of Chemical Engineering 2011-03-01
• Series: Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering
• Subjects: Endoglucanase; Xylanase; Precipitation; Downstream processing; Solid-state fermentation
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-66322011000100003

In order to develop cost effective processes for converting biomass into biofuels, it is essential to improve enzyme production yields, stability and specific activity. In this context, the aim of this work was to evaluate the concentration of two enzymes involved in the hydrolysis of biomass, endoglucanase and xylanase, through precipitation. Statistical experimental design was used to evaluate the influence of precipitant agent concentration (ammonium sulfate and ethanol), aging time, and temperature on enzyme activity recovery. Precipitant agent concentration and aging time showed a statistically significant effect at the 95% confidence level, on both enzyme activity recoveries. The recovery of endoglucanase with ammonium sulfate and ethanol reached values up to 65 and 61%, respectively. For xylanase, the recovery rates were lower, 27 and 25% with ammonium sulfate and ethanol, respectively. The results obtained allowed the selection of the variables relevant to improving enzyme activity recovery within operational conditions suitable for industrial applications.