In this study, a new method for isolation of polyphenols (PP) from spent coffee grounds (SCG) and coffee silverskin (CS) is described. The method consisted of a mild hydrothermal pretreatment at 120°C, for 20 min, using a liquid-to-solid ratio of 20 mL/g. PP (determined as gallic acid equivalents, GAE) were the most abundant components in the extracts produced by this method, corresponding to 32.92 mgGAE/gSCG and 19.17 mgGAE/gCS, among which flavonoids corresponded to 8.29 and 2.73 mg quercetin equivalents/g of SCG and CS, respectively. Both extracts presented antioxidant activity but the results were higher for SCG extract, probably due to the highest content of PP present. Negligible effects (less than 1% solubilization) were caused by the hydrothermal pretreatment on cellulose, hemicellulose, and protein fractions of these materials. Some mineral elements were present in the extracts, with potassium being the most abundant. Hydrothermal pretreatment under mild conditions was demonstrated to be an efficient method to recover antioxidant PP from coffee residues.@en

The search for microorganisms able to produce thermostable xylanases with high yield and characteristics desired for industrial applications has been strongly encouraged since such enzymes are widely used in large-scale processes. In the present study, thermophilic fungal strains able to grow at high temperatures (≥55 °C) were isolated from maize silage. The strains were molecularly identified and used for the production of extracellular xylanase by solid-state fermentation using corn cobs as support-substrate material. Species from the genera Rhizomucor and Aspergillus were identified among the isolated strains and these species demonstrated good ability to produce xylanase under solid-state fermentation conditions. Maximal values of enzymatic activity (824 U/g) and productivity (8.59 U/g.h) were obtained with Rh. pusillus SOC-4A (values per g dry weight of fermented medium). The xylanase produced by this fungus presented thermal stability at 75 °C, with maximum activity at 70 °C and pH 6.0, revealing, therefore, great potential for application in different areas.@en

The extraction of polysaccharides by autohydrolysis of spent coffee grounds (SCG) was studied. Experimental assays were performed using different temperatures (160–200 °C), liquid/solid ratios (5–15 ml water/g SCG) and extraction times (10–50 min) in order to determine the conditions that maximize the extraction of polysaccharides with high antioxidant activity. Autohydrolysis was demonstrated to be an efficient technique to recover antioxidant polysaccharides from SCG. The best process conditions consisted in using 15 ml water/g SCG, during 10 min at 160 °C. The polysaccharides obtained under these conditions were mainly in the form of galactomannans and arabinogalactans. They presented high antioxidant activity (assessed by four different methods), were thermostable in a large range of temperature, and had a typical carbohydrate pattern, being of interest for industrial applications, mainly in the food area.@en

The extraction of polysaccharides by autohydrolysis of spent coffee grounds (SCG) was studied. Experimental assays were performed using different temperatures (160–200 °C), liquid/solid ratios (5–15 ml water/g SCG) and extraction times (10–50 min) in order to determine the conditions that maximize the extraction of polysaccharides with high antioxidant activity. Autohydrolysis was demonstrated to be an efficient technique to recover antioxidant polysaccharides from SCG. The best process conditions consisted in using 15 ml water/g SCG, during 10 min at 160 °C. The polysaccharides obtained under these conditions were mainly in the form of galactomannans and arabinogalactans. They presented high antioxidant activity (assessed by four different methods), were thermostable in a large range of temperature, and had a typical carbohydrate pattern, being of interest for industrial applications, mainly in the food area.@en

The extraction of polysaccharides by autohydrolysis of spent coffee grounds (SCG) was studied. Experimental assays were performed using different temperatures (160–200 °C), liquid/solid ratios (5–15 ml water/g SCG) and extraction times (10–50 min) in order to determine the conditions that maximize the extraction of polysaccharides with high antioxidant activity. Autohydrolysis was demonstrated to be an efficient technique to recover antioxidant polysaccharides from SCG. The best process conditions consisted in using 15 ml water/g SCG, during 10 min at 160 °C. The polysaccharides obtained under these conditions were mainly in the form of galactomannans and arabinogalactans. They presented high antioxidant activity (assessed by four different methods), were thermostable in a large range of temperature, and had a typical carbohydrate pattern, being of interest for industrial applications, mainly in the food area.@en

A mild alkaline pretreatment (deacetylation) prior to the dilute acid pretreatment was evaluated as a strategy to improve the sugars recovery and ethanol production from both hemicellulose and cellulose fractions of rice straw. This pretreatment was carried out using different conditions of temperature (50-70°C) and NaOH loading (20-80mg NaOH/g biomass), which were combined according to a 22 central composite design. In this step the removal of acetyl groups as well as the impact of this step on biomass composition were evaluated. In order to assess the impact of the deacetylation on hemicellulosic hydrolysate composition, the influence of the reaction time (30-90min) and sulfuric acid concentration (0.5-1.5% w/v) was also studied, using the alkaline-pretreated solid (deacetylated) and rice straw in natura. The best sequential pretreatment conditions were scaled-up to 50-L reactor, being obtained a cellulose-rich pretreated solid (cellulignin) and a hemicellulosic hydrolysate, which was concentrated to 70g/L xylose to be used as fermentation medium. A significant improvement on ethanol production from xylose by Scheffersomyces stipitis NRRL Y-7124 was observed when the biomass was submitted to deacetylation (about 4-fold). The enzymatic conversion of cellulose was also improved (from 73 to 89%) when the deacetylated cellulignin was used, resulting in an enhancement of the ethanol production (from 12.7 to 20.4g/L) during the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation with Kluyveromyces marxianus NRRL Y-6860. In brief, biomass deacetylation prior to dilute acid pretreatment was an efficient strategy for rice straw processing, substantially improving the ethanol production from both pentose and hexose sugars.@en

A mild alkaline pretreatment (deacetylation) prior to the dilute acid pretreatment was evaluated as a strategy to improve the sugars recovery and ethanol production from both hemicellulose and cellulose fractions of rice straw. This pretreatment was carried out using different conditions of temperature (50-70°C) and NaOH loading (20-80mg NaOH/g biomass), which were combined according to a 22 central composite design. In this step the removal of acetyl groups as well as the impact of this step on biomass composition were evaluated. In order to assess the impact of the deacetylation on hemicellulosic hydrolysate composition, the influence of the reaction time (30-90min) and sulfuric acid concentration (0.5-1.5% w/v) was also studied, using the alkaline-pretreated solid (deacetylated) and rice straw in natura. The best sequential pretreatment conditions were scaled-up to 50-L reactor, being obtained a cellulose-rich pretreated solid (cellulignin) and a hemicellulosic hydrolysate, which was concentrated to 70g/L xylose to be used as fermentation medium. A significant improvement on ethanol production from xylose by Scheffersomyces stipitis NRRL Y-7124 was observed when the biomass was submitted to deacetylation (about 4-fold). The enzymatic conversion of cellulose was also improved (from 73 to 89%) when the deacetylated cellulignin was used, resulting in an enhancement of the ethanol production (from 12.7 to 20.4g/L) during the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation with Kluyveromyces marxianus NRRL Y-6860. In brief, biomass deacetylation prior to dilute acid pretreatment was an efficient strategy for rice straw processing, substantially improving the ethanol production from both pentose and hexose sugars.@en

A mild alkaline pretreatment (deacetylation) prior to the dilute acid pretreatment was evaluated as a strategy to improve the sugars recovery and ethanol production from both hemicellulose and cellulose fractions of rice straw. This pretreatment was carried out using different conditions of temperature (50-70°C) and NaOH loading (20-80mg NaOH/g biomass), which were combined according to a 22 central composite design. In this step the removal of acetyl groups as well as the impact of this step on biomass composition were evaluated. In order to assess the impact of the deacetylation on hemicellulosic hydrolysate composition, the influence of the reaction time (30-90min) and sulfuric acid concentration (0.5-1.5% w/v) was also studied, using the alkaline-pretreated solid (deacetylated) and rice straw in natura. The best sequential pretreatment conditions were scaled-up to 50-L reactor, being obtained a cellulose-rich pretreated solid (cellulignin) and a hemicellulosic hydrolysate, which was concentrated to 70g/L xylose to be used as fermentation medium. A significant improvement on ethanol production from xylose by Scheffersomyces stipitis NRRL Y-7124 was observed when the biomass was submitted to deacetylation (about 4-fold). The enzymatic conversion of cellulose was also improved (from 73 to 89%) when the deacetylated cellulignin was used, resulting in an enhancement of the ethanol production (from 12.7 to 20.4g/L) during the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation with Kluyveromyces marxianus NRRL Y-6860. In brief, biomass deacetylation prior to dilute acid pretreatment was an efficient strategy for rice straw processing, substantially improving the ethanol production from both pentose and hexose sugars.@en

A mild alkaline pretreatment (deacetylation) prior to the dilute acid pretreatment was evaluated as a strategy to improve the sugars recovery and ethanol production from both hemicellulose and cellulose fractions of rice straw. This pretreatment was carried out using different conditions of temperature (50-70°C) and NaOH loading (20-80mg NaOH/g biomass), which were combined according to a 22 central composite design. In this step the removal of acetyl groups as well as the impact of this step on biomass composition were evaluated. In order to assess the impact of the deacetylation on hemicellulosic hydrolysate composition, the influence of the reaction time (30-90min) and sulfuric acid concentration (0.5-1.5% w/v) was also studied, using the alkaline-pretreated solid (deacetylated) and rice straw in natura. The best sequential pretreatment conditions were scaled-up to 50-L reactor, being obtained a cellulose-rich pretreated solid (cellulignin) and a hemicellulosic hydrolysate, which was concentrated to 70g/L xylose to be used as fermentation medium. A significant improvement on ethanol production from xylose by Scheffersomyces stipitis NRRL Y-7124 was observed when the biomass was submitted to deacetylation (about 4-fold). The enzymatic conversion of cellulose was also improved (from 73 to 89%) when the deacetylated cellulignin was used, resulting in an enhancement of the ethanol production (from 12.7 to 20.4g/L) during the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation with Kluyveromyces marxianus NRRL Y-6860. In brief, biomass deacetylation prior to dilute acid pretreatment was an efficient strategy for rice straw processing, substantially improving the ethanol production from both pentose and hexose sugars.@en

A mild alkaline pretreatment (deacetylation) prior to the dilute acid pretreatment was evaluated as a strategy to improve the sugars recovery and ethanol production from both hemicellulose and cellulose fractions of rice straw. This pretreatment was carried out using different conditions of temperature (50-70°C) and NaOH loading (20-80mg NaOH/g biomass), which were combined according to a 22 central composite design. In this step the removal of acetyl groups as well as the impact of this step on biomass composition were evaluated. In order to assess the impact of the deacetylation on hemicellulosic hydrolysate composition, the influence of the reaction time (30-90min) and sulfuric acid concentration (0.5-1.5% w/v) was also studied, using the alkaline-pretreated solid (deacetylated) and rice straw in natura. The best sequential pretreatment conditions were scaled-up to 50-L reactor, being obtained a cellulose-rich pretreated solid (cellulignin) and a hemicellulosic hydrolysate, which was concentrated to 70g/L xylose to be used as fermentation medium. A significant improvement on ethanol production from xylose by Scheffersomyces stipitis NRRL Y-7124 was observed when the biomass was submitted to deacetylation (about 4-fold). The enzymatic conversion of cellulose was also improved (from 73 to 89%) when the deacetylated cellulignin was used, resulting in an enhancement of the ethanol production (from 12.7 to 20.4g/L) during the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation with Kluyveromyces marxianus NRRL Y-6860. In brief, biomass deacetylation prior to dilute acid pretreatment was an efficient strategy for rice straw processing, substantially improving the ethanol production from both pentose and hexose sugars.@en

A mild alkaline pretreatment (deacetylation) prior to the dilute acid pretreatment was evaluated as a strategy to improve the sugars recovery and ethanol production from both hemicellulose and cellulose fractions of rice straw. This pretreatment was carried out using different conditions of temperature (50-70°C) and NaOH loading (20-80mg NaOH/g biomass), which were combined according to a 22 central composite design. In this step the removal of acetyl groups as well as the impact of this step on biomass composition were evaluated. In order to assess the impact of the deacetylation on hemicellulosic hydrolysate composition, the influence of the reaction time (30-90min) and sulfuric acid concentration (0.5-1.5% w/v) was also studied, using the alkaline-pretreated solid (deacetylated) and rice straw in natura. The best sequential pretreatment conditions were scaled-up to 50-L reactor, being obtained a cellulose-rich pretreated solid (cellulignin) and a hemicellulosic hydrolysate, which was concentrated to 70g/L xylose to be used as fermentation medium. A significant improvement on ethanol production from xylose by Scheffersomyces stipitis NRRL Y-7124 was observed when the biomass was submitted to deacetylation (about 4-fold). The enzymatic conversion of cellulose was also improved (from 73 to 89%) when the deacetylated cellulignin was used, resulting in an enhancement of the ethanol production (from 12.7 to 20.4g/L) during the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation with Kluyveromyces marxianus NRRL Y-6860. In brief, biomass deacetylation prior to dilute acid pretreatment was an efficient strategy for rice straw processing, substantially improving the ethanol production from both pentose and hexose sugars.@en

In the present study, an acid mediated steam explosion process was evaluated for pretreatment of elephant grass biomass in a bench scale reactor. Different combinations of H2SO4 concentration, reaction time and temperature (leading to different values of combined severity factor - CSF) were used for biomass pretreatment, and the impact of the resultant pretreatment conditions on biomass composition, structure and enzymatic hydrolysis was assessed. The optimal pretreatment conditions consisted in performing the steam explosion at 161°C during 11.5min, and using the biomass impregnated with 0.5% H2SO4 (CSF=1.42). Under these conditions, a pretreated solid containing 52.13% (w/w) cellulose and 31.00% (w/w) lignin was obtained. The modifications in the biomass structure resulting from the different pretreatment conditions were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated material resulted in a cellulose saccharification yield of 55%. These results allow a better understanding about the pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification of elephant grass biomass and also reveal a great potential of this raw material for use in a biorefinery.@en

In the present study, an acid mediated steam explosion process was evaluated for pretreatment of elephant grass biomass in a bench scale reactor. Different combinations of H2SO4 concentration, reaction time and temperature (leading to different values of combined severity factor - CSF) were used for biomass pretreatment, and the impact of the resultant pretreatment conditions on biomass composition, structure and enzymatic hydrolysis was assessed. The optimal pretreatment conditions consisted in performing the steam explosion at 161°C during 11.5min, and using the biomass impregnated with 0.5% H2SO4 (CSF=1.42). Under these conditions, a pretreated solid containing 52.13% (w/w) cellulose and 31.00% (w/w) lignin was obtained. The modifications in the biomass structure resulting from the different pretreatment conditions were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated material resulted in a cellulose saccharification yield of 55%. These results allow a better understanding about the pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification of elephant grass biomass and also reveal a great potential of this raw material for use in a biorefinery.@en

In the present study, an acid mediated steam explosion process was evaluated for pretreatment of elephant grass biomass in a bench scale reactor. Different combinations of H2SO4 concentration, reaction time and temperature (leading to different values of combined severity factor - CSF) were used for biomass pretreatment, and the impact of the resultant pretreatment conditions on biomass composition, structure and enzymatic hydrolysis was assessed. The optimal pretreatment conditions consisted in performing the steam explosion at 161°C during 11.5min, and using the biomass impregnated with 0.5% H2SO4 (CSF=1.42). Under these conditions, a pretreated solid containing 52.13% (w/w) cellulose and 31.00% (w/w) lignin was obtained. The modifications in the biomass structure resulting from the different pretreatment conditions were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated material resulted in a cellulose saccharification yield of 55%. These results allow a better understanding about the pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification of elephant grass biomass and also reveal a great potential of this raw material for use in a biorefinery.@en

In the present study, an acid mediated steam explosion process was evaluated for pretreatment of elephant grass biomass in a bench scale reactor. Different combinations of H2SO4 concentration, reaction time and temperature (leading to different values of combined severity factor - CSF) were used for biomass pretreatment, and the impact of the resultant pretreatment conditions on biomass composition, structure and enzymatic hydrolysis was assessed. The optimal pretreatment conditions consisted in performing the steam explosion at 161°C during 11.5min, and using the biomass impregnated with 0.5% H2SO4 (CSF=1.42). Under these conditions, a pretreated solid containing 52.13% (w/w) cellulose and 31.00% (w/w) lignin was obtained. The modifications in the biomass structure resulting from the different pretreatment conditions were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated material resulted in a cellulose saccharification yield of 55%. These results allow a better understanding about the pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification of elephant grass biomass and also reveal a great potential of this raw material for use in a biorefinery.@en

In the present study, an acid mediated steam explosion process was evaluated for pretreatment of elephant grass biomass in a bench scale reactor. Different combinations of H2SO4 concentration, reaction time and temperature (leading to different values of combined severity factor - CSF) were used for biomass pretreatment, and the impact of the resultant pretreatment conditions on biomass composition, structure and enzymatic hydrolysis was assessed. The optimal pretreatment conditions consisted in performing the steam explosion at 161°C during 11.5min, and using the biomass impregnated with 0.5% H2SO4 (CSF=1.42). Under these conditions, a pretreated solid containing 52.13% (w/w) cellulose and 31.00% (w/w) lignin was obtained. The modifications in the biomass structure resulting from the different pretreatment conditions were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated material resulted in a cellulose saccharification yield of 55%. These results allow a better understanding about the pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification of elephant grass biomass and also reveal a great potential of this raw material for use in a biorefinery.@en

The aim of this work was to improve the production of fructosyltransferase (FTase) by Solid-State Fermentation (SSF) using aguamiel (agave sap) as culture medium and Aspergillus oryzae DIA-MF as producer strain. SSF was carried out evaluating the following parameters: inoculum rate, incubation temperature, initial pH and packing density to determine the most significant factors through Box-Hunter and Hunter design. The significant factors were then further optimized using a Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology. The maximum FTase activity (1347U/L) was obtained at 32°C, using packing density of 0.7g/cm3. Inoculum rate and initial pH had no significant influence on the response. FOS synthesis applying the enzyme produced by A. oryzae DIA-MF was also studied using aguamiel as substrate.@en

The aim of this work was to improve the production of fructosyltransferase (FTase) by Solid-State Fermentation (SSF) using aguamiel (agave sap) as culture medium and Aspergillus oryzae DIA-MF as producer strain. SSF was carried out evaluating the following parameters: inoculum rate, incubation temperature, initial pH and packing density to determine the most significant factors through Box-Hunter and Hunter design. The significant factors were then further optimized using a Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology. The maximum FTase activity (1347U/L) was obtained at 32°C, using packing density of 0.7g/cm3. Inoculum rate and initial pH had no significant influence on the response. FOS synthesis applying the enzyme produced by A. oryzae DIA-MF was also studied using aguamiel as substrate.@en

The aim of this work was to improve the production of fructosyltransferase (FTase) by Solid-State Fermentation (SSF) using aguamiel (agave sap) as culture medium and Aspergillus oryzae DIA-MF as producer strain. SSF was carried out evaluating the following parameters: inoculum rate, incubation temperature, initial pH and packing density to determine the most significant factors through Box-Hunter and Hunter design. The significant factors were then further optimized using a Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology. The maximum FTase activity (1347U/L) was obtained at 32°C, using packing density of 0.7g/cm3. Inoculum rate and initial pH had no significant influence on the response. FOS synthesis applying the enzyme produced by A. oryzae DIA-MF was also studied using aguamiel as substrate.@en