Optimizing ammonia pressurization/depressurization processing conditions to enhance enzymatic susceptibility of dwarf elephant grass

• Published in: Applied biochemistry and biotechnology 2000, Vol.84 (1-9), p.163-179
• Main Authors: Ferrer, A, Byers, F.M, Sulbaran-De-Ferrer, B, Dale, B.E, Aiello, C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ammonia; Animal Feed; beta-Glucosidase - metabolism; Biofuel production; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Biotechnology - methods; Cellulase - metabolism; Cellulose; Elephantidae; Energy; forage; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; glucose; Glucose - analysis; Grasses; hemicellulose; hydrolysis; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Kinetics; Pennisetum purpureum; Poaceae; Polysaccharides; Pressure; reducing sugars; Solubility; solubilization; Sugar; temperature; warm season; xylose; Xylose - analysis
• ISSN: 0273-2289; 1559-0291; 0273-2289
• DOI: 10.1385/ABAB:84-86:1-9:163

An ammonia pressurization/depressurization process was investigated to evaluate the potential of producing reducing sugars from dwarf elephant grass, a warm-season forage. Moisture, temperature, and ammonia loading affected sugar yield (p < 0.0001). At optimal conditions, ammonia processing solubilized 50.9% of the hemicellulose and raised the sugar yield (percentage of theoretical) from 18 to 83%. Glucose and xylose production were increased 3.2-and 8.2-fold, respectively. The mild processing conditions of the ammonia treatment (90-100 degrees C, 5 min), the low enzyme loading (2 international filter paper units/g), and the short hydrolysis time (24 h), greatly enhance the potential of using forages to produce sugars valuable for several applications.