One of the main barriers to the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose results from its highly crystalline structure. Ionic liquids (IL) have been recently shown to be a very promising technique to convert lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars. Pretreating biomass with IL increases enzyme accessibility and cellulose recovery through precipitation with an anti-solvent. For an industrially feasible pretreatment and hydrolysis process, it is necessary to develop cellulases that are stable and active in the presence of small amounts of ILs co-precipitated with recovered cellulose. However, a significant decrease in cellulase activity in the presence high concentration of ILs has been reported in the literature, necessitating extensive processing to remove ILs from the regenerated cellulose. Towards that end, we have investigated the activity of thermophilic enzymes in the presence of the IL 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C2mim][OAc]) and compared it to the industrial benchmark Trichoderma viride (T. viride) cellulase. We discuss some of our initial results and outline a strategy directed towards improving the activity of these cellulases under high salt conditions
This preliminary program is subject to change.
![[ Visit Client Website ]](images/banner.gif)
Towards Engineering Ionic Liquid Tolerant Cellulases
One of the main barriers to the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose results from its highly crystalline structure. Ionic liquids (IL) have been recently shown to be a very promising technique to convert lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars. Pretreating biomass with IL increases enzyme accessibility and cellulose recovery through precipitation with an anti-solvent. For an industrially feasible pretreatment and hydrolysis process, it is necessary to develop cellulases that are stable and active in the presence of small amounts of ILs co-precipitated with recovered cellulose. However, a significant decrease in cellulase activity in the presence high concentration of ILs has been reported in the literature, necessitating extensive processing to remove ILs from the regenerated cellulose. Towards that end, we have investigated the activity of thermophilic enzymes in the presence of the IL 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C2mim][OAc]) and compared it to the industrial benchmark Trichoderma viride (T. viride) cellulase. We discuss some of our initial results and outline a strategy directed towards improving the activity of these cellulases under high salt conditions