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Utilization of agricultural biomass in the production of the biopolymer schizophyllan

  • Fermentation, Cell Culture and Bioengineering
  • Published:
Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology

Abstract

Schizophyllan is a homoglucan produced by the fungus Schizophyllum commune, with a β-1,3-linked backbone and β-1,6-linked side chains of single glucose units at every other residue. Schizophyllan is commercially produced for pharmaceutical and cosmetics uses. However, the unique physical properties of schizophyllan suggest that it may have biomaterials applications. Schizophyllan is conventionally produced by submerged culture fermentation using glucose as a carbon source. This study demonstrates for the first time the efficient utilization of agricultural biomass substrates, particularly distiller’s dried grains with solubles, for schizophyllan production. Sugar composition analysis, NMR, and permethylation linkage analysis confirmed that the recovered product was schizophyllan. Schizophyllan produced from agricultural residues was of a high molecular weight and exhibited solution viscosity properties similar to those of commercially produced material. Utilization of biomass substrates could reduce the cost of schizophyllan production and provide a new value-added bioproduct for integrated biorefineries of the future.

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Acknowledgments

Expert technical assistance was provided by Erika Hertenstein, Suzanne Unser, Trina Hartman, Karl E. Vermillion, and Andrew J. Thomas. The authors sincerely thank Christopher Dunlap for surface tension measurements. This project was supported by Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant no. 2010-65504-20377 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Renewable Product Technology Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1815 North University Street, Peoria, IL, 61604, USA

    Nongnuch Sutivisedsak, Timothy D. Leathers, Melinda S. Nunnally & Neil P. J. Price

  2. Bio-oils Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1815 North University Street, Peoria, IL, 61604, USA

    Girma Biresaw

Authors
  1. Nongnuch Sutivisedsak
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  2. Timothy D. Leathers
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  3. Melinda S. Nunnally
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  4. Neil P. J. Price
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  5. Girma Biresaw
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Correspondence to Timothy D. Leathers.

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Mention of any trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Sutivisedsak, N., Leathers, T.D., Nunnally, M.S. et al. Utilization of agricultural biomass in the production of the biopolymer schizophyllan. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 40, 105–112 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-012-1208-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-012-1208-8

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