Efficient Enzymatic Saccharification Of Alkaline And Ionic Liquid-Pretreated Bamboo By Highly Active Extremozymes Produced By The Co-Culture Of Two Halophilic Fungi

Herein, we studied two strains of halophilic fungi (Aspergillus fiavus and Aspergillus penicillioides) as potential potent sources of hydrolases under solid-state fermentation conditions. We found that the co-culture of these two fungal species was associated with maximal CMCase, FPase, xylanase, and p-xylosidase activity under optimized fermentation conditions. These enzymes functioned optimally at pH values from 9.0 to 10.0, at temperatures from 50 degrees C to 60 degrees C, and in the presence of 15-20% NaCl. These enzymes were also stable in metal salt solutions and the presence of ionic liquids. Reducing sugar yields following the cellulase-hemicellulase co-treatment of untreated, alkaline-pretreated, and ionic liquid-pretreated bamboo were higher than those associated with separate cellulase and hemicellulase treatments, thus confirming the synergistic activity of cellulase-hemicellulase co-treatment in the context of bamboo saccharification. These results indicate that these two fungi are promising hydrolase producers that can facilitate the bioconversion of bamboo biomass.