Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #236028
Title: Use of Coniochaeta ligniaria to detoxify fermentation inhibitors present in cellulosic sugar streams

Author
item Nichols, Nancy
item Dien, Bruce
item Cotta, Michael

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/21/2009
Publication Date: 5/21/2009
Citation: Nichols, N.N., Dien, B.S., Cotta, M.A. 2009. Use of Coniochaeta ligniaria to detoxify fermentation inhibitors present in cellulosic sugar streams [abstract]. American Society for Microbiology. Paper No. O-055.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Conversion of biomass to fuels or chemicals is hampered by the presence of fermentation inhibitors that arise during pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass. Although physical-chemical methods are typically used to mitigate inhibitory organic compounds, microbes could also be used to remove the fermentation inhibitors by metabolism. Fungal isolate Coniochaeta ligniaria NRRL 30616 metabolizes a number of inhibitory compounds, including furan and aromatic compounds. The fungal strain was used to metabolize and remove inhibitory compounds from pretreated biomass. Biomass samples (10% w/w corn stover or switchgrass) were dilute-acid pretreated and subjected to bioabatement with strain NRRL 30616, then used for simultaneous saccharification of cellulose and fermentation by Saccharomyces. Fermentation of corn stover hydrolysate yielded 1.7% w/v ethanol. In the unabated samples, glucose liberated by saccharification of cellulose accumulated in the medium rather than being converted to ethanol. Similarly, in fermentations of switchgrass, fermentations of bioabated samples commenced immediately while fermentations of untreated hydrolysates were delayed or failed. Thus, microbes including C. ligniaria may be well-suited for targeted removal of fermentation inhibitors.