beta-Glucosidase coating on polymer nanofibers for improved cellulosic ethanol production

Abstract

beta-Glucosidase (beta G) can relieve the product inhibition of cellobiose in the cellulosic ethanol production by converting cellobiose into glucose. For the potential recycled uses, beta G was immobilized and stabilized in the form of enzyme coating on polymer nanofibers. The beta G coating (EC-beta G) was fabricated by crosslinking additional beta G molecules onto covalently attached beta G molecules (CA-beta G) via glutaraldehyde treatment. The initial activity of EC-beta G was 36 times higher than that of CA-beta G. After 20 days of incubation under shaking, CA-beta G and EC-beta G retained 33 and 91% of each initial activity, respectively. Magnetic nanofibers were also used for easy recovery and recycled uses of beta G coating. It is anticipated that the recycled uses of highly active and stable beta G coating can improve the economics of cellulosic ethanol production so long as economical materials are employed as a host of enzyme immobilization.