Critical redox processes for efficient saccharification of lignocellulose

Research Project, 2016 – 2017

The discovery of a new class of oxidative enzymes, LPMOs, which are capable of breaking glucosidic bonds has led to significant improvement in the efficiency of enzymatic saccharification and thus in the process of producing ethanol from lignocellulose. The aim of the project is to provide tangible data on the importance of redox processes during industrial conversion of lignocellulose into ethanol. Varying the redox properties of the substrate by comparing materials with different lignin content and varying the availability of oxygen or by adding the fermenting yeast will be performed. The redox processes are critical for the overall process efficiency due to the recent inclusion of oxidative enzymes in commercial enzyme blends. The strength of the project includes a combination of state-of the art equipment and world-leading competences as, this project will be conducted in close collaboration with a large Danish-lead research consortium (Harnessing the oxidative potential of enzym)