Abstract
This study focused on the optimization of xylitol production from sugarcane bagasse by using response surface methodology. Xylitol was produced through a series of processes, firstly, optimization of ultrasound-assisted mild alkaline pretreatment for the xylan extraction from sugarcane bagasse followed by enzymatic hydrolysis of xylan to xylose by enzyme β-1,4-xylanase and finally microbial fermentation of xylose to xylitol using yeast (Candida guilliermondii), bacteria (Corynebacterium glutamicum) and their mixed culture for different time periods (0–96 h). Maximum xylan recovery of 12.059% (w/w) was observed at pretreatment; 0.73 M NaOH, 1:38.55 solid-to-liquid ratio and 34.77 min ultrasonication. The enzyme concentration of 400 U/g xylan at 48 h of incubation showed the highest xylose production (81.51 mg/g bagasse). Yeast (C. guilliermondii) resulted in the highest xylitol yield (Yp/s = 0.43 g/g) after 72 h. This bioprocess route can contribute as a suitable alternative for chemical methods of xylitol production.
Highlights
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is one of the major tropical crops with the world’s annual production of around 1.81 billion tons in the year 2015, which is presumed to reach above 2.21 billion tons by 2024, based on which sugarcane bagasse production is supposed to reach 0.6 billion tons [1, 2]
Mass of xylan incurred for xylitol formation
The present study demonstrated a biotechnological processing for xylitol production from sugarcane bagasse hydrolysates rich in xylose
Summary
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is one of the major tropical crops with the world’s annual production of around 1.81 billion tons in the year 2015, which is presumed to reach above 2.21 billion tons by 2024, based on which sugarcane bagasse production is supposed to reach 0.6 billion tons [1, 2]. Sugarcane bagasse is the main byproduct of sugar industry which generates around 280 kg of bagasse per ton of sugarcane processing [3]. This implies the necessity of waste valorization of sugarcane bagasse [3] as lack of proper utilization and irrational disposal of biological waste pose a great environmental threat [4]. Sugarcane bagasse is a lignocellulosic material with high hemicellulose content [5]. The relative sweetness of xylitol is equivalent to that of sucrose, but it exerts nearly one third low calorie content [8, 9]. Xylitol has extensive application in various sectors of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, food and beverage industries due to its distinct pharmacological importance like prevention of dental cavities and ear infection in small children [10]; low glycemic index [11]; higher cooling power [12]; independent of insulin metabolic pathway [13]; and anticariogenic property [8]
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