Characterisation of the glycoside hydrolase domain of a novel bi-functional metagenomic clone for use in the biofuel production industry
Date
2017-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The current practice of 1st generation biofuel production is marred by several hurdles, namely concerns
over food security and the moral dilemma created by using edible feedstocks as a biofuel production
source. Second generation biofuel production methods stand to take the forefront and address the
world’s need for a renewable liquid fuel source without affecting food security and adding value to the
abundant lignocellulosic biomass available worldwide. However, in order to achieve this, 2nd generation
biofuel production methods need to become more efficient at liberating fermentable glucose from
lignocellulosic biomass. Metagenomic sampling and novel enzyme discovery are the most promising
sources of finding new, more efficient enzymes from unculturable microorganisms that can degrade
lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable glucose more ably than current enzymes used in industry.
Industrial enzymes within the biofuels scope are required to be thermotolerant, pH tolerant, resistant to
product inhibition and resistant to denaturation by industrial solvents. A novel, bi-functional, ßglucosidase
and ß-galactosidase enzyme, termed Clone 3L, was identified via a metagenomic sampling
approach. This study outlines the characterization of clone 3L, including the kinetics of the enzyme and
an assessment of the suitability of the enzyme within an industrial, 2nd generation biofuel production
pipeline. Clone 3L was found to be a promising candidate for use in 2nd generation biofuel production
schemes, with the enzyme exhibiting high activity and affinity for its cellobiose substrate and a high
degree of tolerance to various solvents, glucose inhibition and a high activity across a wide pH range.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar
Description
Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2017.
Keywords
Biomass energy, Lignocellulose -- Biotechnology, Novel bi-functional metagenomic clone, UCTD