Efficient process for producing saccharides and ethanol from a biomass feedstock

• US 10,329,593 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2017
• Issued: 06/25/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Auburn University
• Original Assignee: Auburn University
• Inventors: Okeke, Benedict C., Nanjundaswamy, Ananda K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gebreyesus, Kagnew H
• Application Number:
  US15/444,780
• Publication Number:
  US 20170175153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 63/38 Trichoderma
• CPC Class Codes: A23K 20/10 Organic substances
• CPC Class Codes: B09C 1/105 using fungi or plants
• CPC Class Codes: B09C 2101/00 In situ
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/145 Fungal isolates
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 9/2402 hydrolysing O- and S- glycosyl compounds (3.2.1)
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 9/2437 Cellulases (3.2.1.4; 3.2.1.74; 3.2.1.91; 3.2.1.150)
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 9/2445 Beta-glucosidase (3.2.1.21)
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 9/248 Xylanases
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 9/2482 Endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (3.2.1.8)
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 19/02 Monosaccharides 2-ketogulonic acid C12P7/60
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 19/14 produced by the action of a carbohydrase (EC 3.2.x), e.g. by alpha-amylase , e.g. by cellulase, hemicellulase
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/10 substrate containing cellulosic material
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/14 Multiple stages of fermentation; Multiple types of microorganisms or re-use of microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: C12R 2001/885 Trichoderma
• CPC Class Codes: C12Y 302/01004 Cellulase (3.2.1.4), i.e. endo-1,4-beta-glucanase
• CPC Class Codes: C12Y 302/01008 Endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (3.2.1.8)
• CPC Class Codes: C12Y 302/01021 Beta-glucosidase (3.2.1.21)
• CPC Class Codes: C12Y 302/01037 Xylan 1,4-beta-xylosidase (3.2.1.37)
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/52 : using catalysts, e.g. selective catalysts

Abstract

Described herein is a process for producing saccharides and ethanol from biomass feedstock that includes (a) producing an enzyme composition by culturing a fungal strain(s) in the presence of a lignocellulosic medium, (b) using the enzyme composition to saccharify the biomass feedstock, and (c) fermenting the saccharified biomass feedstock to produce ethanol. The process is scalable and, in certain aspects, is capable of being deployed on farms, thereby allowing local production of saccharides and ethanol and resulting in a reduction of energy and other costs for farm operators. Optional steps to improve the biomass-to-fuel conversion efficiency are also contemplated, as are uses for byproducts of the process described herein.

Claims

1. A spent biomaterial produced by the method comprising

a. culturing a fungal strain comprising Trichoderma SG2, Trichoderma SG4, or a combination thereof, in culture medium, in the presence of a lignocellulosic medium and a starch to produce an enzyme composition and a spent biomaterial;

and

b. separating the spent biomaterial from the enzyme composition.

2. The biomaterial of claim 1, wherein when the fungal strain is Trichoderma SG2 or SG4 and the enzyme composition comprises cellulase, xylanase, beta-glucosidase, beta-xylosidase, amylase, or any combination thereof.

3. The biomaterial of claim 1, wherein the starch comprises an expired food product selected from the group consisting of corn starch, potato starch, rice starch, tapioca starch, bread or other bakery products, bread waste, bakery waste, donuts, donut waste, and any combination thereof.

4. The biomaterial of claim 1, wherein the enzyme composition is separated from the spent material by filtration or centrifugation.

5. The biomaterial of claim 1, wherein the biomaterial comprises Trichoderma SG2, Trichoderma SG4, or a combination thereof.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein Trichoderma SG2, Trichoderma SG4, or a combination thereof is cultured in the presence of a lignocellulosic medium and a starch.

7. An animal feed comprising the spent biomaterial of claim 1.

8. A composition for improving plant health comprising the biomaterial of claim 1.

9. A method for remediating soil comprising applying the spent biomaterial of claim 1 to the soil.

10. An enzyme composition produced by culturing a fungal strain comprising Trichoderma SG2, Trichoderma SG4, or a combination thereof, in the presence of a lignocellulosic medium and a starch.

11. The composition of claim 10, wherein when the fungal strain is Trichoderma SG2 or SG4 and the enzyme composition comprises cellulase, xylanase, beta-glucosidase, beta-xylosidase, amylase, or any combination thereof.

12. The composition of claim 10, wherein the starch comprises an expired food product selected from the group consisting of corn starch, potato starch, rice starch, tapioca starch, bread or other bakery products, bread waste, bakery waste, donuts, donut waste, or any combination thereof.