研究成果

Development of Cellulose Saccharification Technology Using Microorganism Culture Only

Related Research Program
Environment
Related Research Project
Carbon recycling


 

Development of Cellulose Saccharification Technology Using Microorganism Culture Only
― Microbial saccharification method reduces the cost of saccharification enzymes to zero ―

Main Points

  • Microbial saccharification, a next-generation saccharification technology that does not require the addition of enzymes during cellulose saccharification was developed.
  • Accumulated sugars can be easily converted into various chemical products such as ethanol, fats and oils, etc.
  • Microbial saccharification enables recycling and upcycling of waste materials.

Overview

A joint research collaboration of JIRCAS and King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Thailand has developed a "microbial saccharification" technology that does not require at all the addition of cellulase enzyme when converting cellulose based biomass into fermentable carbohydrates.

This research achievement eliminates the need to purchase cellulase enzymes, which had been a cause of high costs, because cellulose fiber can be saccharified only by coculturing  microorganisms (Clostridium thermocellum and Thermobrachium celere strain A9). Furthermore, since these microorganisms can be cultured repeatedly, this next-generation saccharification technology is inexpensive and efficient, and will contribute to the promotion of decarbonization and reduction of environmental load in resource and energy procurement" under the “Strategy MeaDRI (Measures for the achievement of Decarbonization and Resilience with Innovation)” promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).

The results of this study were published in the online edition of the scientific journal Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology on February 14, 2022 (JST).

 

 

Publication

Authors
S Nhima, R Waeonukul, A Uke, S Baramee, K Ratanakhanokchaia, C Tachaapaikoon, P Pason, Y-J Liu, A Kosugi
Title
Biological Cellulose Saccharification using a Coculture of Clostridium thermocellum and Thermobrachium celere Strain A9
Journal
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-022-11818-0

For Inquiries

JIRCAS President : KOYAMA Osamu 
Program Director:HAYASHI Keiichi  
Researcher-in-charge:KOSUGI Akihiko (Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division) 
      UKE Ayaka (Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division) 
Press Coordinator:OMORI Keisuke (Head, Information and Public Relations Office) 
      E-mail:koho-jircas@ml.affrc.go.jp

 

 
 

Microbial saccharification, a next-generation saccharification technology that saccharifies cellulose biomass only by culturing microorganisms.

Glucose production from cellulose and highly efficient degradation of cellulose by microbial saccharification that makes good use of the sugar preference of microorganisms.

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