Cellulase immobilization on superparamagnetic nanoparticles for reuse in cellulosic biomass conversion

Authors

Qing Song, Sun Yat-sen University
Yu Mao, Oklahoma State UniversityFollow
Mark Wilkins, Oklahoma State UniversityFollow
Fernando Segato, Oklahoma State University
Rolf Prade, Oklahoma State University

Date of this Version

2016

Citation

AIMS Bioengineering, 3(3): 264-276

Comments

© 2016 Yu Mao, et al.

Open access

DOI: 10.3934/bioeng.2016.3.264

Abstract

Current cellulosic biomass hydrolysis is based on the one-time use of cellulases. Cellulases immobilized on magnetic nanocarriers offer the advantages of magnetic separation and repeated use for continuous hydrolysis. Most immobilization methods focus on only one type of cellulase. Here, we report co-immobilization of two types of cellulases, β-glucosidase A (BglA) and cellobiohydrolase D (CelD), on sub-20 nm superparamagnetic nanoparticles. The nanoparticles demonstrated 100% immobilization efficiency for both BglA and CelD. The total enzyme activities of immobilized BglA and CelD were up to 67.1% and 41.5% of that of the free cellulases, respectively. The immobilized BglA and CelD each retained about 85% and 43% of the initial immobilized enzyme activities after being recycled 3 and 10 times, respectively. The effects of pH and temperature on the immobilized cellulases were also investigated. Co-immobilization of BglA and CelD on MNPs is a promising strategy to promote synergistic action of cellulases while lowering enzyme consumption.