Process evaluation of electron beam irradiation-based biodegradation relevant to lignocellulose bioconversion
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Advanced Biomass R&D Center, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701 Republic of Korea.
Springerplus
|October 4, 2014
Summary
Electron beam irradiation-based biodegradation (EBIBB) enhances rice straw (RS) digestibility and fermentability. This eco-friendly method improves sugar yield and reduces processing time, offering a more efficient approach to biomass conversion.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Science
- Biomass Conversion
Background:
- Inefficient long-term biodegradation of rice straw (RS) by wood-decaying fungi poses a challenge.
- Developing sustainable and efficient methods for RS biomass conversion is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To improve the digestibility and fermentability of rice straw (RS) using a novel approach.
- To evaluate the efficiency of electron beam irradiation-based biodegradation (EBIBB) for RS pretreatment.
Main Methods:
- Depolymerization of RS using electron beam irradiation.
- Simultaneous biodegradation of irradiated RS using Phanerochaete chrysosporium.
- Analysis of transcriptomic profiles to understand gene regulation.
Main Results:
- EBIBB significantly increased RS digestibility and fermentability.
- A sugar yield of 65.5% of the theoretical maximum was achieved in 10 days with irradiated RS, comparable to 64.8% in 15 days for unirradiated RS.
- EBIBB demonstrated time and energy savings in the fermentation process.
Conclusions:
- EBIBB is an effective and eco-friendly pretreatment method for enhancing RS biodegradation.
- The approach offers significant improvements in sugar yield and process efficiency.
- Transcriptomic analysis indicated conserved gene regulation patterns related to lignocellulose degradation.
Related Concept Videos
Biodeterioration
84
Biodeterioration refers to the unwanted alteration of materials caused by microorganisms—especially fungi—which damage both organic substrates (paper, wood, textiles) and inorganic ones (stone, plaster, glass). Unlike abiotic decay, biodeterioration results from biological activity that produces physical disruption and chemical degradation.Physical deterioration occurs as fungal hyphae penetrate pores, cracks, and surface irregularities. Hyphal turgor pressure, thigmotropic growth...
84
Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium
94
Microorganisms play a critical role in the transformation and immobilization of uranium in contaminated environments through four main pathways: bioreduction, biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biomineralization. These mechanisms reduce uranium’s toxicity and prevent its migration through groundwater systems, offering sustainable approaches for in situ bioremediation.Bioreduction of UraniumBioreduction is driven by anaerobic bacteria such as certain strains of Geobacter and Shewanella,...
94
Bioremediation
17.3K
Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.
17.3K
Microbial Bioremediation of Pesticides
72
Pesticides often feature structurally complex chemical architectures, incorporating halogen groups and multiple aromatic rings. These characteristics confer high chemical stability, rendering many pesticides resistant to natural degradation processes. This resistance poses significant environmental concerns, as persistent pesticide residues can accumulate in ecosystems and affect non-target organisms.Despite the inherent stability of many pesticides, certain microorganisms possess the metabolic...
72
Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons
129
Bioremediation is an environmentally sustainable process that employs living organisms—primarily microorganisms—to degrade or neutralize pollutants from contaminated environments. In oil spills and hydrocarbon pollution, bioremediation involves the use of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria to transform toxic compounds into less harmful substances. This approach leverages natural microbial metabolic processes and is considered both cost-effective and ecologically favorable compared to...
129
Bioplastics
58
Bioplastics derived from microbial processes present a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Among these, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), particularly polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs), have emerged as prominent candidates due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. These polymers are synthesized by a variety of bacteria, such as Cupriavidus necator and Pseudomonas putida, which naturally accumulate PHAs as intracellular carbon and energy reserves, especially under...
58


