title: Optimizing ammonia processing conditions to enhance susceptibility of legumes to fiber hydrolysis: alfalfa.
abstract: An ammonia process was applied at several ammonia loadings, moisture contents, temperatures, and dwell times. A cellulase loading of 5 FPU/g dry matter and a 24 h incubation time were used to produce the sugars, which were measured as reducing sugars and by HPLC. Optimal processing conditions caused a 76% of theoretical yield (2.9-fold above untreated). Cellulose and hemicellulose conversions were 68 and 85% (vs 38 and 34% in untreated, respectively). The short hydrolysis time and relatively low enzyme loading suggests great potential to produce sugars from alfalfa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Science Faculty, University of Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela. aferrer1@cantv.net
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Byers
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sulbarán-de-Ferrer
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Dale
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aiello
mesh_terms: D000641:Ammonia; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis*; D002482:Cellulose / Q000032:analysis; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007700:Kinetics; D008031:Lignin / Q000032:analysis; D000455:Medicago sativa / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D011134:Polysaccharides; D000641:Ammonia; C007916:hemicellulose; D002482:Cellulose; D008031:Lignin