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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Design of Solid-State Fermentation Systems for Polymer Hydrolytic Extracellular Enzyme Production by Filamentous Fungi
Published on: June 6, 2025
Enzyme enhanced solid-state fermentation of kenaf core fiber for storage and pretreatment
P T Murphy1, K J Moore, T L Richard
1Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, 100 Davidson Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50010, USA. pmurph@iastate.edu <pmurph@iastate.edu>
Abstract:
Kenaf is an annual fiber crop adaptable to a wide range of climates and soil types. This study investigated the use of kenaf core fiber as a feedstock for enzyme-enhanced fermentation. Triplicate kenaf core fiber samples were treated with enzymes having cellulase:hemicellulase activity ratios of 0:1, 0.015:1, 0.45:1, and 2.54:1 at a rate of 5010 IU/kg dry matter hemicellulase activity, vacuum-sealed, and incubated at 37 degrees C for 21 d. Samples were analyzed for pH, water soluble carbohydrates, organic acids, and hemicellulose and cellulose concentrations. All treatments produced a pH less than 4.0, which is sufficient for stable storage. Treatments with 2.54:1 and 0.45:1 produced the highest water soluble carbohydrate and lactic acid concentrations. Enzymes with no or low cellulase activity produced results similar to the control. Utilizing enzyme mixtures with high cellulase activity is an effective pretreatment method for ensiled kenaf core fiber.
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