Enzyme recycling in a simultaneous and separate saccharification and fermentation of corn stover: A comparison between the effect of polymeric micelles of surfactants and polypeptides

The efficacy of enzyme recycling in simultaneous (SSF) and separate (SHF) saccharification and fermentation of corn stover was evaluated with the use of novel enzyme stabilizers of casein, Tween20 and polymeric micelles (PMs) of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-casein and PEG-Tween20. Amphiphiles were added to maximize the percentage of enzyme remaining in fermented liquor that could be recycled twice back into the process. With no additive, in SHF the ethanol yield was declined by 64.0% and 80.0% after the first and second recycling, respectively. Application of PMs of PEG-casein in one cycle of SHF significantly improved the theoretical ethanol yield from 0.49 ± 0.00 to 0.91 ± 0.00 g/g compared to when only casein (0.66 ± 0.00 g/g), Tween 20 (0.53 ± 0.00 g/g) and Tween 20-PEG (0.77 ± 0.08 g/g) were used. PMs of PEG-Tween and PEG-casein also improved enzyme recycling, such that the ethanol yield was improved by 50% and 108% beyond that obtained with Tween and casein, respectively.