Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026

Ammonia Fiber Expansion (AFEX) Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass
Published on: April 18, 2020
Conversion for Avicel and AFEX pretreated corn stover by Clostridium thermocellum and simultaneous saccharification
Xiongjun Shao1, Mingjie Jin, Anna Guseva
1Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, 8000 Cummings Hall, Hanover, NH 03755, USA.
Abstract:
In this study, efforts were taken to compare solubilization of Avicel and AFEX pretreated corn stover (AFEX CS) by SSF and Clostridium thermocellum fermentation, with an aim to gain insights into microbial conversion of pretreated cellulosic biomass. Solubilization rates for AFEX CS are comparable for the two systems while solubilization of Avicel is much faster by C. thermocellum. Initial catalyst loading impacts final cellulose conversion for SSF but not for C. thermocellum. Hydrolysis of the two substrates using cell-free C. thermocellum fermentation broth revealed much smaller difference in cellulose conversion than the difference observed for growing cultures. Tests on hemicellulose removal and particle size reduction for AFEX CS indicated that substrate accessibility is very important for enhanced solubilization by C. thermocellum.
Related Concept Videos
Production of Alcohol
Bioreactor Controls-III
Microbial Fermentation
Biofuels
Cellulose and Pectic Polysaccharides
As a cell matures, its cell wall specializes according to its type. For example, the parenchyma cells of...
Microbial Fuel Cells

