Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
16:33
Methods for Facilitating Microbial Growth on Pulp Mill Waste Streams and Characterization of the Biodegradation Potential of Cultured Microbes
Published on: December 12, 2013
Biomass conversion determined via fluorescent cellulose decay assay
Bente Wischmann1, Marianne Toft, Marco Malten
1Novozymes A/S, Bagsværd, Denmark.
Methods in Enzymology
|May 22, 2012
Summary
A new rapid microtiter plate assay, fluorescence cellulose decay (FCD), accurately measures cellulose conversion in biomass. This assay correlates with HPLC results and enzyme performance, benefiting the biomass industry.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Biochemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Cellulose conversion is crucial for biomass utilization.
- Existing methods for assessing cellulose conversion can be time-consuming.
- A rapid and reliable assay is needed for the biomass industry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rapid microtiter plate assay for determining cellulose conversion in washed biomass.
- To validate the assay's correlation with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and enzyme performance.
- To optimize the assay for reduced incubation time.
Main Methods:
- Development of a fluorescence cellulose decay (FCD) assay using a 96-well microtiter plate.
- Verification of cellulose conversion using HPLC analysis.
- Optimization of assay conditions to reduce incubation time from 72 to 24 hours.
Main Results:
- The FCD assay accurately determines cellulose conversion in biomass substrates.
- FCD assay results showed a strong correlation with HPLC-verified conversion.
- Assay activity correlated with the performance of enzyme mixtures.
Conclusions:
- The developed FCD assay provides a rapid and reliable method for assessing cellulose conversion.
- The assay is valuable for the biomass industry, particularly for enzyme performance evaluation.
- Optimized assay protocols enable faster screening and analysis.
