Potential of in situ SSF laccase produced from Ganoderma lucidum RCK 2011 in biobleaching of paper pulp

Regression modelling strategies for projected and sustainable kraft pulping of wheat straw

The demand for paper and paper-based packaging has seen a massive increase in past years, resulting in accelerated deforestation to meet the rising demand, negatively impacting the environment, and there is a need to look towards different non-woody raw materials. Kraft pulping (KP) is widely used in paper making, for which the chemical dose, temperature, time, and energy required must be optimized, for which many insignificant experimental trials are performed. An effort is made to solve this problem by developing the regression equations with the help of Excel using One Factor at a Time Analysis (OFAT), followed by carrying out design of experiments (DoE) using orthogonal approach and regression analysis in Minitab software. Life cycle Assessment (LCA) using the Open-LCA software estimates the effect of chemicals and energy required during pulping on human health, ecosystem quality, and resource depletion. Using regression analysis, the equations for predicting kappa number, yield (%), total energy consumed, and mechanical properties of the paper sheet showed a good fit with an R2 value in the range of 0.90-0.99. Apart from that, the mechanical properties, namely tensile index (41.43 Nm/g), tear index (6.96 mN m2/g), bending stiffness (0.5 mN m), and burst index (3.92 kPa m2/g) of the unbeaten sheet, were determined experimentally at optimized conditions. Based on the Open-LCA result, the optimized pulping conditions had less impact on human health, ecosystem quality, and resource depletion. Industries can use the model to predict the values of kappa number, yield, mechanical properties, and energy consumption without performing optimization experiments that may impact the industry's economy to a greater extent.

Production, purification, and characterization of p-diphenol oxidase (PDO) enzyme from lignolytic fungal isolate Schizophyllum commune MF-O5

Fungi are producers of lignolytic extracellular enzymes which are used in industries like textile, detergents, biorefineries, and paper pulping. This study assessed for the production, purification, and characterization of novel p-diphenol oxidase (PDO; laccase) enzyme from lignolytic white-rot fungal isolate. Fungi samples collected from different areas of Pakistan were initially screened using guaiacol plate method. The maximum PDO producing fungal isolate was identified on the basis of ITS (internal transcribed spacer sequence of DNA of ribosomal RNA) sequencing. To get optimum enzyme yield, various growth and fermentation conditions were optimized. Later PDO was purified using ammonium sulfate precipitation, size exclusion, and anion exchange chromatography and characterized. It was observed that the maximum PDO producing fungal isolate was Schizophyllum commune (MF-O5). Characterization results showed that the purified PDO was a monomeric protein with a molecular mass of 68 kDa and showed stability at lower temperature (30 °C) for 1 h. The Km and Vmax values of the purified PDO recorded were 2.48 mM and 6.20 U/min. Thermal stability results showed that at 30 °C PDO had 119.17 kJ/K/mol Ea value and 33.64 min half-life. The PDO activity was stimulated by Cu2+ ion at 1.0 mM showing enhanced activity up to 111.04%. Strong inhibition effect was noted for Fe2+ ions at 1 mM showing 12.04% activity. The enzyme showed stability against 10 mM concentration oxidizing reducing agents like DMSO, EDTA, H2O2, NaOCl, and urea and retained more than 75% of relative activity. The characterization of purified PDO enzyme confirmed its tolerance against salt, metal ions, organic solvents, and surfactants indicating its ability to be used in the versatile commercial applications.

Laccase-Based Self-Amplifying Catalytic System Enables Efficient Antibiotic Degradation for Sustainable Environmental Remediation

Antibiotic contamination poses potential risks to ecosystems and human health. Laccase (LAC) has emerged as a promising biocatalyst for the oxidation of environmentally toxic contaminants with high catalytic efficiency; however, its large-scale application is hindered by enzyme costs and dependency on redox mediators. Herein, a novel self-amplifying catalytic system (SACS) for antibiotic remediation that does not require external mediators is developed. In SACS, a natural mediator-regenerating koji with high-activity LAC, derived from lignocellulosic waste, initiates the chlortetracycline (CTC) degradation. Subsequently, an intermediate product, CTC327, identified as an active mediator for LAC via molecular docking, is formed and then starts a renewable reaction cycle, including CTC327-LAC interaction, stimulated CTC bioconversion, and self-amplifying CTC327 release, thus enabling highly efficient antibiotic bioremediation. In addition, SACS exhibits excellent performance in producing lignocellulose-degrading enzymes, highlighting its potential for lignocellulosic biomass deconstruction. To demonstrate its effectiveness and accessibility in the natural environment, SACS is used to catalyze in situ soil bioremediation and straw degradation. The resulting CTC degradation rate is 93.43%, with a straw mass loss of up to 58.35% in a coupled process. This mediator regeneration and waste-to-resource conversion in SACS provides a promising route for environmental remediation and sustainable agricultural practices.

Features of the Formation of Sensitive Films Based on Mycelium of Higher Fungi for Surface and Plate Acoustic Waves Gas Sensors

A comparative analysis of the responses of two types of acoustic waves (surface SAW and plate APW) with close frequencies and the same type of waves (SAW) with different frequencies toward various liquid vapors (water, acetone, ethanol) was carried out in this paper. Two types of films based on mycelium of higher fungus Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst (G. lucidum) prepared by various methods were used as sensitive coatings. These films were based on G. lucidum mycelium ethanolic (48% v/v) homogenizate (MEGl) and extract (EGl). A film deposition procedure compatible with acoustic devices technology was developed. Various piezoelectric substrates (YX-LiNbO₃, 128 YX-LiNbO₃) were used for appropriate acoustic delay lines production. It was found that additional SAW and APW attenuation associated with the appearance of mycelium films on the surface of the acoustic waveguide is two times greater for MEGL than for EGL films in the frequency range of 20-80 MHz The changes in acoustic wave amplitude and phase due to vapor absorption were measured and compared with each other, taking into account the differences in geometry of the samples. It was found that the phase response of the SAW delay lines with EGL films is three times higher than one with the presence of MEGL films for water and ethanol vapors. The films used are demonstrated good reproducibility and long-term stability for at least 2 months. Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that MEGl film is not appropriate for use in high frequency SAW delay lines as a sensitive coating. However, both types of the films (MEGl and EGl) could be used as sensitive coatings for low frequency SAW and APW sensors based on corresponding delay lines. Additionally, it was found that the films used are not sensitive to acetone vapor. As a result of the work carried out, a technique for creating sensitive films based on the mycelium of higher fungi compatible with the planar technology of acoustoelectronic delay lines was developed. The possibility of using such films for the development of gas SAW and APW sensors was shown.

Amelioration effect of water extract from Ganoderma resinaceum FQ23 solid-state fermentation fungal substance with high-yield ergothioneine on anxiety-like insomnia mice

Herein, a solid-state fermentation (SSF) system of Ganoderma resinaceum FQ23 with high-yield ergothioneine (EGT) was established, and the amelioration effect of the water extract from its fungal substance on anxiety-like insomnia mice was studied. The content of EGT in the G. resinaceum FQ23 SSF fungal substance increased to 1.146 ± 0.066 mg g^-1 DW in the optimization tests. Besides EGT, the common functional components of the water extract from the G. resinaceum FQ23 SSF fungal substance (GSW) were determined, including triterpenoids, polysaccharides, phenols, proteins and amino acids. The animal experiments showed that GSW could alleviate the anxiety-like behavior, improve the antioxidant capacity and protect the organ structure of the anxiety-like insomnia mice. With an increase in the dose of GSW given to the anxiety-like insomnia mice, their serum 5-HT and GABA levels increased, HPA axis hormone levels significantly decreased, BDNF level notably increased, and the response level of the BDNF/CREB signaling pathway was significantly enhanced, indicating that GSW may improve neuroendocrine regulation and neuroprotection in anxiety-like insomnia mice. A 30-times dose of GSW had no acute toxicity in the normal mice. Therefore, the SSF fungal substance of G. resinaceum FQ23 is a potential dietary source for improving sleep. It can be used as a solid drink to help people who are poor sleepers and as a substitute for tea or coffee to help people who are like to drink tea or coffee and cannot sleep.

High dye removal capacity of Peniophora laxitexta immobilized in a combined support based on polyurethane foam and lignocellulosic substrates

Dye removal from effluents is a major problem for most textile industries. At present, wastewater treatments are currently based on physico-chemical methods which are expensive, energy inefficient and of limited versatility. The aim of this work was to find a low-cost and efficient method for dye removal. To do this, we designed a combined system based on the immobilization of the ligninolytic white-rot fungus Peniophora laxitexta (BAFC 4687) on mixed supports consisting of two polyurethane foam discs and a middle layer of diverse lignocellulosic substrates: soybean hulls, wheat straw or cellulose spent casings. As a corticioid fungus, P. laxitexta was able to completely colonize the supports developing a compact and tight structure that maintained the integrity of the system after several dye removal cycles. The immobilized fungus removed between 30% and 50% of the azoic dye Xylidine and more than 50% of the anthraquinonic dye RBBR in three successive cycles, and near 90% of the triphenylmethane Malachite Green in 10 repeated cycles without any loss of efficiency. Our analysis showed that the removal of the dyes was due to the combined effect of adsorption to the supports and enzymatic decolorization by soluble laccases and enzymes associated with the mycelium. Additionally, we showed that the presence of Malachite Green induced the expression of a new laccase isoform with high decolorization capacity. Based on these results, we propose that this inoculated laminar biocarrier could be effectively used for dye removal in textile wastewater.

Enhancement of Laccase Production by Optimizing the Cultural Conditions for Pleurotus sajor-caju in Solid-State Fermentation

Nowadays, a lot of interest has been given to the development of cost-effective and efficient enzyme production technologies. Laccase enzymes are widely used in biotechnological, environmental and industrial sectors. Due to the cost-effectiveness of the solid-state fermentation (SSF) process, it is widely used to produce a broad range of biological products. In this study, optimization of moisture content, temperature, pH, and inoculum size were studied to enhance laccase production ability of Pleurotus sajor-caju in SSF by using One Factor At Time (OFAT) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). OFAT was used as a baseline study for deducing the experimental design of RSM. The highest production of laccase enzyme (1450 U/g) by Pleurotus sajor-caju on wheat straw was observed at 26°C, 6.0 pH, 72.5 % moisture content, 7.5% inoculum size, 1% fructose and 0.5 % peptone. Unlike the conventional inoculum preparation method, here the inoculum was generated by the spawning method for SSF. The molecular weight of partially purified laccase from Pleurotus sajor-caju was estimated to be around 62 K Da using SDS PAGE. The activity staining of laccase was observed as a zymogram on Native PAGE using ABTS as a substrate. Lignin degradation of wheat straw and its structural disruption due to laccase was observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).

Biobleaching: An eco-friendly approach to reduce chemical consumption and pollutants generation

The pulp and paper industry is known to be a large contributor to environmental pollution due to the huge consumption of chemicals and energy. Several chemicals including H2SO4, Cl2, ClO2, NaOH, and H2O2 are used during the bleaching process. These chemicals react with lignin and carbohydrates to generate a substantial amount of pollutants in bleach effluents. Environmental pressure has compelled the pulp and paper industry to reduce pollutant generation from the bleaching section. Enzymes have emerged as simple, economical, and eco-friendly alternatives for bleaching of pulp. The pretreatment of pulp with enzymes is termed as biobleaching or pre-bleaching. Different microbial enzymes such as xylanases, pectinases, laccases, manganese peroxidases (MnP), and lignin peroxidases are used for biobleaching. Xylanases depolymerize the hemicelluloses precipitated on pulp fiber surfaces and improves the efficiency of bleaching chemicals. Xylanase treatment also increases the pulp fibrillation and reduces the beating time of the pulp. Pectinases hydrolyze pectin available in the pulp fibers and improve the papermaking process. Laccase treatment is found more effective along with mediator molecules (as a laccase-mediator system). Biobleaching of pulp results in the superior quality of pulp along with lower consumption of chlorine-based chemicals and lower generation of adsorbable organic halidesadsorbable organic halides (AOX. An enzyme pretreatment reduces the kappa number of pulp and improves ISO brightness significantly. Better physical strength properties and pulp viscosity have also been observed during biobleaching of pulp.

Laccase production by Trametes versicolor in solid-state fermentation using tea residues as substrate and its application in dye decolorization

An efficient valorization of tea residues into value-added product was developed by Trametes versicolor in solid-state fermentation (SSF). The laccase production of 25.7 U/g dry substrate was obtained by optimizing culture medium and condition, resulting in a 4.0-fold increase compared to that of 6.4 U/g dry substrate under unoptimized condition. During the 7-day cultivation under SSF, 44.7%, 12.2% and 9.8% degradation occurred for lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose in tea residues, respectively. Laccase production reached 31.2 U/g dry substrate by the scaling-up culture in shallow tray system. The dry fermented tea residues were directly used as crude enzyme in the decolorization of malachite green. It possessed a decolorization rate of more than 95% within 120 min and remained 81.3% of decolorization capacity after 6 cycles. The present study provided a useful strategy for low-cost laccase production by SSF and it exhibited great potential for the application in dye decolorization.