Enzymes for second generation ethanol: exploring new strategies for the use of xylose

Abstract

Considering that the cost of cellulases and hemicellulases substantially contributes to the price of 2nd-generation ethanol, reducing the cost of the substances used as inducers of cellulose and xylose is essential to reducing the cost of these enzymes. Penicillium echinulatum is able to secrete most hemicellulolytic and cellulolytic enzymes. In this context, the aim of this work was to evaluate the use of xylose for the production of cellulases and xylanases by two mutant strains of P. echinulatum (9A02S1 and S1M29) and the parental 2HH. Xylose acts as an inducer for the production of xylanases and cellulases, especially endoglucanases. These data indicate the possibility of using the pentose xylose, which is not used by the majority of yeast for ethanol production, as a total or partial substitute in cellulose-based processes for the production of enzymes for enzymatic hydrolysis.