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© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2017
S. Sugathan et al. (eds.), Bioresources and Bioprocess in Biotechnology,
DOI 10.1007/978-981-10-4284-3_1
R.K. Sukumaran (*) • A. Abraham • A.K. Mathew
Centre for Biofuels, Biotechnology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary
Science and Technology, Industrial Estate PO, Pappanamcode,
Thiruvananthapuram 695019, Kerala, India
e-mail: rajvaryaveedu@gmail.com
1
Enzymes for Bioenergy
Rajeev K. Sukumaran, Amith Abraham, and Anil K. Mathew
Abstract
Lignocellulosic ethanol is emerging as the prominent candidate for renewable
liquid transportation fuels, and the conversion of biomass to ethanol requires
enzymatic hydrolysis. Enzymes that hydrolyze biomass have been the subject of
several studies, since the cost estimations of second-generation ethanol show
significant contributions by this single consumable. The chapter introduces
biomass- hydrolyzing enzymes in the context of biorefineries and provides an
overview on the current knowledge and understanding of these enzymes with
respect to their types, mode of action, regulation of gene expression, and synergies. The changing concepts about the role of individual enzymes and the new
discoveries on lignocellulose breakdown are presented to highlight the developments in biomass hydrolysis paradigm. It also covers the current strategies
employed for commercial production of different lignocellulose-hydrolyzing
enzymes and their blending to derive efficient cocktails. Finally, the importance
of cost reduction in production and usage of biomass hydrolysis enzymes for a
cost-effective bioethanol technology is discussed along with the current
approaches in addressing this.
Keywords
Cellulase • Hemicellulase • Xylanase • Biomass hydrolysis • Biorefineries •
Bioethanol • Bioenergy
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2017
S. Sugathan et al. (eds.), Bioresources and Bioprocess in Biotechnology,
DOI 10.1007/978-981-10-4284-3_1
R.K. Sukumaran (*) • A. Abraham • A.K. Mathew
Centre for Biofuels, Biotechnology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary
Science and Technology, Industrial Estate PO, Pappanamcode,
Thiruvananthapuram 695019, Kerala, India
e-mail: rajvaryaveedu@gmail.com
1
Enzymes for Bioenergy
Rajeev K. Sukumaran, Amith Abraham, and Anil K. Mathew
Abstract
Lignocellulosic ethanol is emerging as the prominent candidate for renewable
liquid transportation fuels, and the conversion of biomass to ethanol requires
enzymatic hydrolysis. Enzymes that hydrolyze biomass have been the subject of
several studies, since the cost estimations of second-generation ethanol show
significant contributions by this single consumable. The chapter introduces
biomass- hydrolyzing enzymes in the context of biorefineries and provides an
overview on the current knowledge and understanding of these enzymes with
respect to their types, mode of action, regulation of gene expression, and synergies. The changing concepts about the role of individual enzymes and the new
discoveries on lignocellulose breakdown are presented to highlight the developments in biomass hydrolysis paradigm. It also covers the current strategies
employed for commercial production of different lignocellulose-hydrolyzing
enzymes and their blending to derive efficient cocktails. Finally, the importance
of cost reduction in production and usage of biomass hydrolysis enzymes for a
cost-effective bioethanol technology is discussed along with the current
approaches in addressing this.
Keywords
Cellulase • Hemicellulase • Xylanase • Biomass hydrolysis • Biorefineries •
Bioethanol • Bioenergy