Screening and optimization of parameters affecting fungal pretreatment of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) by experimental design

Agarat Kamcharoen,Lily Eurwilaichitr,Piyarat Boonsawang,Verawat Champreda

doi:10.1007/s40095-014-0136-y

Abstract

In the present study, various white-rot fungi were used for the pretreatment of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) using solid-state cultivation. The results showed that Trametes versicolor TISTR 3224 gave the highest selectivity value (the ratio of lignin degradation to cellulose degradation) of 1.57. In comparison, Trametes sp. BCC 8729, Phanerochaete chrysosporium ATCC 24725, Marasmius sp. BCC 9542 and Xylaria sp. BCC 7749 gave selectivity of 0.60, 0.59, 0.30 and 0.06, respectively. Screening parameters for the fungal pretreatment of EFB using T. versicolor TISTR 3224 was studied by Plackett–Burman design (PBD). It indicated that the moisture content and co-substrate gave a positive effect on the lignin degradation, while EFB concentration had a negative effect on cellulose degradation. The optimum conditions for lignin degradation obtained from Box–Behnken statistical experimental design (BBD) were 80 % moisture content, 2.29 % wheat flour and 23.3 % EFB. Under this condition, 15.6 % of delignification was obtained. After an enzymatic hydrolysis, the digestibility of fungal treated EFB under the optimum condition achieved 1.34-fold compared with untreated EFB.

Highlights

IntroductionThe process of palm oil production has generated empty fruit bunches, fiber and palm shell as wastes [1]
Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is one of the most economical oil crops
The results showed that Trametes versicolor Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR) 3224 gave the highest selectivity value of 1.57

Summary

Introduction

The process of palm oil production has generated empty fruit bunches, fiber and palm shell as wastes [1]. Bioethanol production from lignocellulosic materials employs three major steps: pretreatment for breakdown of lignin and opening up the crystalline structure of cellulosic materials; hydrolysis for fermentable sugar production; and bioconversion of fermentable sugar produced to bioethanol [8]. White-rot fungi are important microorganisms involved in lignin degradation during pretreatment [12,13,14]. Phanerochaete chrysosporium [15,16,17,18] and Trametes versicolor [19,20,21,22] have been reported for the pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials. Different white-rot fungi differed in their capabilities of cellulose and lignin

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion