Nanocellulose synthesis via synergistic application of solid acid and cellulase

Dong Shu; Chentao Tan; Yue Zhang; Lu Gan; Roger Ruan; Leilei Dai; Yunpu Wang; Erguang Huo; Qixuan Jiang; Yunfeng Zhao; Jian Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.139158

Nanocellulose synthesis via synergistic application of solid acid and cellulase

Int J Biol Macromol. 2024 Dec 24:291:139158. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.139158. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Dong Shu¹, Chentao Tan¹, Yue Zhang¹, Lu Gan¹, Roger Ruan², Leilei Dai², Yunpu Wang³, Erguang Huo⁴, Qixuan Jiang⁵, Yunfeng Zhao⁶, Jian Zhang⁷

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Agricultural Product Processing and Quality Control of Specialty(Co-construction by Ministry and Province), School of Food Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832003, China; Key Laboratory for Food Nutrition and Safety Control of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, School of Food Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832003, China.
² Center for Biorefining and Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1390 Eckles Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108, USA.
³ State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China.
⁴ Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Heat Fluid Flow Technology and Energy Application, School of Physical Science and Technology, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China.
⁵ Department of Electrical Engineering Computer Science, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
⁶ Key Laboratory of Agricultural Product Processing and Quality Control of Specialty(Co-construction by Ministry and Province), School of Food Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832003, China; Key Laboratory for Food Nutrition and Safety Control of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, School of Food Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832003, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁷ Key Laboratory of Agricultural Product Processing and Quality Control of Specialty(Co-construction by Ministry and Province), School of Food Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832003, China; Key Laboratory for Food Nutrition and Safety Control of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, School of Food Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832003, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39725113
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.139158

Abstract

Nanocellulose stands out in numerous applications due to its excellent properties. Yet, achieving its preparation in a cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally benign manner remains challenging. This study introduces a green synthesis approach by employing a non-polluting solid acid, combined with a cellulase enzyme, for nanocellulose production. We explored the impact of varying the addition sequence of solid acid and cellulase on nanocellulose yield. Experimental results showed that under optimal cellulase hydrolysis conditions, solid acid hydrolysis yielded 41.3 % nanocellulose, whereas cellulase hydrolysis resulted in a 27.1 % yield. In co-treatment experiments, with the following process steps: 1) sequential hydrolysis with solid acid, followed by cellulose (SA-E); 2) simultaneous hydrolysis with solid acid and cellulase (SA + E); 3) cellulase followed by solid acid hydrolysis (E-SA). the nanocellulose yields were: 73.37 %, 70.43 %, and 57.21 %, respectively. These results proved a synergistic effect between solid acid and cellulase in both SA-E and SA + E scenarios. In addition, the synergistic mechanism between solid acid and cellulase was proposed. This approach presents a highly promising strategy for achieving high yields of nanocellulose.

Keywords: Cellulase; Hydrolysis; Nanocellulose; Solid acid; Synergistic effect.