Interdependence between lignocellulosic biomasses, enzymatic hydrolysis and yeast cell factories in biorefineries. Issue 3 (21st July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bertacchi, Stefano; Jayaprakash, Pooja; Morrissey, John P.; Branduardi, Paola
• Is Part Of: Microbial biotechnology. Volume 15:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 985
• Page End: 995
• Publication Date: 2021-07-21
• Subjects: Microbial biotechnology -- Periodicals; Biotechnology; Microbiology; 660.62
• DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13886
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-7915

Abstract

Summary: Biorefineries have a pivotal role in the bioeconomy scenario for the transition from fossil‐based processes towards more sustainable ones relying on renewable resources. Lignocellulose is a prominent feedstock since its abundance and relatively low cost. Microorganisms are often protagonists of biorefineries, as they contribute both to the enzymatic degradation of lignocellulose complex polymers and to the fermentative conversion of the hydrolyzed biomasses into fine and bulk chemicals. Enzymes have therefore become crucial for the development of sustainable biorefineries, being able to provide nutrients to cells from lignocellulose. Enzymatic hydrolysis can be performed by a portfolio of natural enzymes that degrade lignocellulose, often combined into cocktails. As enzymes can be deployed in different operative settings, such as separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) or simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF), their characteristics need to be combined with microbial ones to maximize the process. We therefore reviewed how the optimization of lignocellulose enzymatic hydrolysis can ameliorate bioethanol production when Saccharomyces cerevisiae is used as cell factory. Expanding beyond biofuels, enzymatic cocktail optimization can also be pivotal to unlock the potential of non‐ Saccharomyces yeasts, which, thanks to broader substrate utilization, inhibitor resistance and peculiar metabolism, can widen the array of feedstocks and products of biorefineries. Abstract : In this review the main highlighted topics are the interdependence of the processing of the lignocellulosic biomasses, predominantly by enzymes, and the selection of microbial strains. Because there are good data available, yeast(s) and biofuels were used as models, but the concepts are applicable to other microbes and other products. One of the central messages of the review is that precise lignocellulosic biomasses composition, choice of enzyme cocktail and selection of yeast species and strain need to be considered in an integrated fashion to enable development of an efficient process.