Kenaf biomass biodecomposition by basidiomycetes and actinobacteria in submerged fermentation for production of carbohydrates and phenolic compounds

The efficiency and dynamics of simultaneous kenaf biomass decomposition by basidiomycetous fungi and actinobacteria were investigated. After 8 weeks of incubation, up to 34 wt.% of the kenaf biomass was degraded, with the combination of fungi and bacteria being the most efficient. Lignin decomposition accounted for ∼20% of the observed biomass reduction, regardless of the culture used. The remaining 80% of biomass degradation was due to carbohydrate based polymers. Major monosaccharides were produced in tangible yields (26–38%) at different times. Glucose, fructose and xylose were then fully consumed by day 25 while some galactose persisted until day 45. Once monosaccharides were depleted, the production of laccase, manganese-dependent peroxidase and lignin peroxidase enzymes, essential for lignin decomposition, was induced. The products of lignin biodecomposition were shown to be water-soluble and characterized by thermal desorption–pyrolysis–gas chromatography.