Deep eutectic solvents assisted laccase pretreatment for improving enzymatic hydrolysis of corn stover

The efficient and eco-friendly removal of lignin is a critical challenge for bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass. Herein, we report the integration of laccase with deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for the pretreatment of corn stover to enhance the production of reducing sugars. Three betaine-based DESs were prepared and tested for their effects on the activity and stability of a bacterial laccase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LC02. The aqueous solution of DESs showed no adverse influence on laccase activity, and the laccase thermostability was improved in the presence of DESs. More than 95% of the laccase activity was retained in the DESs solution during the first hour of incubation at 70 °C. A red shift in the fluorescence spectra was observed for the laccase in the presence of DESs, indicating conformational changes. The laccase was able to degrade a dimeric lignin model compound by cleaving its β-O-4 bond. The transformation products were identified using LC-MS. The maximal lignin removal from corn stover was achieved by pretreatment using laccase in combination with the betaine-glycerol DES, which also resulted in a yield of fermentable sugar that was 130% higher than the control. This combination strategy provides guidance on the application of laccase and DESs in the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass.