Beta-glucosidase coating on polymer nanofibers for improved cellulosic ethanol production

Beta-glucosidase (betaG) can relieve the product inhibition of cellobiose in the cellulosic ethanol production by converting cellobiose into glucose. For the potential recycled uses, betaG was immobilized and stabilized in the form of enzyme coating on polymer nanofibers. The betaG coating (EC-betaG) was fabricated by crosslinking additional betaG molecules onto covalently attached betaG molecules (CA-betaG) via glutaraldehyde treatment. The initial activity of EC-betaG was 36 times higher than that of CA-betaG. After 20 days of incubation under shaking, CA-betaG and EC-betaG retained 33 and 91% of each initial activity, respectively. Magnetic nanofibers were also used for easy recovery and recycled uses of betaG coating. It is anticipated that the recycled uses of highly active and stable betaG coating can improve the economics of cellulosic ethanol production so long as economical materials are employed as a host of enzyme immobilization.