Endoglucanases show promise for wheat straw in biofuel composition

The use of wheat straw in biofuel composition could become more widespread with better ways to liquefy the obtained biomass.

Researchers writing in Biotechnology for Biofuels reveal that endoglucanases hold promise as one means of achieving this.

They explain that thermostable enzymes are useful as they can operate at higher concentrations, with their viscosity dependent on temperature.

By adding a pre-hydrolysis stage where the enzymes are used to liquefy solid matter, final biofuel composition can be improved by removing some of the obstacles to ethanol production.

Endoglucanases in particular appear to be useful for this, exhibiting a "superior ability" to lower wheat straw viscosity at 15 per cent weight in weight and with hydrothermal pre-treatment.

The scientists add that the thermostable enzymes they tested, while not fully optimised, performed competitively compared with commercially available enzyme products.

Biotechnology for Biofuels addresses all stages of the production process, from pre-treatment to fermentation and bioconversion.