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Title: Decomposition of lignin and cellobiose in relation to the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7284136

Studies are reported on the use of fungal ..beta..-glucosidase in conjunction with Trichoderma viride cellulase and the search for an effective enzyme system for lignin degradation. ..beta..-glucosidase is of potential benefit in cellulose hydrolysis by catalyzing the hydrolysis of cellobiose to glucose thereby reducing product inhibition and producing a higher glucose yield. Removal of lignin from cellulosic material makes the cellulose more accessible to hydrolyzing enzymes. Hydrolysis studies on Solka Floc and newsprint were conducted with T. viride filtrates containing various proportions of B. theobromae filtrates. Significant improvement in hydrolysis rate particularly in glucose content was obtained by thus enriching the ..beta..-glucosidase content of the cellulase. In the search for a lignin degrading enzyme, major emphasis was given to the fungus Polyporous versicolor. Significant o-diphenol oxidoreductase (catecholase) activity was found in the culture filtrates. Preliminary observations of a surface culture of the fungus in a composting mode suggest that delignification may be obtained in this manner. Work is continuing on this.

Research Organization:
California Univ., Berkeley (USA). Lawrence Berkeley Lab.
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
7284136
Report Number(s):
LBL-5960; CONF-761166-1
Resource Relation:
Conference: 2. symposium on research applied to national needs, Washington, District of Columbia, USA, 7 Nov 1976
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English