Harnessing cellulolytic
potential of a new Aspergillus terreus AP02 strain for developing integrated pre-treatment
and saccharification process for efficient lignocellulosic ethanol production
Singh Aatish, Singh Manisha and Pandey Ajay Kumar
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(9); 192-199;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/209rjbt1920199; (2025)
Abstract
The global need for sustainable energy solutions emphasizes the importance of efficient
lignocellulosic biomass conversion into biofuels. In this study, a potent cellulase-producing
fungal isolate, Aspergillus terreus AP02, was isolated from rotting wood compost
and identified through ITS sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The crude enzyme
extract (AT-CS) obtained from solid-state fermentation displayed a broad enzymatic
profile including filter paper activity (1.09 ± 0.067 FPU/ml), CMCase (0.55 ± 0.043
IU/ml), avicellase (0.14 ± 0.009 IU/ml), β-glucosidase (0.45 ± 0.021 IU/ml) and
endo-xylanase (8.96 ± 0.77 IU/ml), indicating strong cellulose and hemicellulose
degrading potential. An integrated pre-treatment and saccharification (IPS) process
was developed using AT-CS and optimized via “One Factor at a Time” (OFAT) approach.
Optimal conditions were determined as: 1% (v/v) acid loading, 10% (w/v) biomass
loading, 1.0% (w/v) PEG-6000, 45 min pretreatment, 30 FPU/g enzyme dose and 48 hours
saccharification time wherein a maximum 0.57 ± 0.016 g/g reducing sugar was released
from rice straw.
The resulting RS hydrolysate was fermented using Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCIM 3570
and produced 15.82 ± 0.84 g/L ethanol, with 93.93% fermentation efficiency (yield:
0.48 g/g sugar) and 0.659 g/L/h productivity. These findings demonstrated the potential
of isolate A. terreus AP02 for cellulolytic enzymes production and feasibility of
an optimized IPS strategy for developing agricultural waste based lignocellulosic
biorefinery for second-generation bioethanol production.
