Application of Supercritical CO2 Treatment Enhances Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Sugarcane Bagasse

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the effects caused by the application of supercritical CO2 treatment in the commercial cellulase Celluclast 1.5L. The influence of this treatment on the enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse (2% w v−1) and on the kinetic parameters was assessed in a central composite design (CCD). The results show that the application of supercritical treatment for 180 min at 40 °C and 300 bar causes an increase in 14.31% in total cellulase enzymatic activity (FPase). Furthermore, this treatment conditions also enhance in 73.63% (concentration of 1.176 g L−1) the concentration of fermentable sugars released during the enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse, with theoretical yield of cellulose hydrolysis of 17.56%. In addition, KM was reduced 3 times for the enzyme compared to the untreated enzyme. Thus, treatment with supercritical CO2 proved to be a green and attractive alternative for fermentable sugars release, since it resulted in enhancements of enzymatic activities of the cellulolytic complex and an increase in enzymatic hydrolysis degree of the sugarcane bagasse.