title: Stimulation of Cellulases by Small Phenolic Compounds in Pretreated Stover.
abstract: The effect of small phenolic compounds in pretreated stover on celluase activity is crucial but has not yet been fully elucidated. This work investigated the effects of both phenolic acid and phenolic aldehyde on cellulase activity. The model substances of small phenolic compounds identified in steam exploded corn stover were used to examine their individual effects on cellulase activity. It was found that phenolic aldehyde significantly inhibited cellulase activity at 0.05-8 g/L. However, phenolic acids might have a concentration-dependent effect on cellulase activity: significant inhibition at 0.05 g/L and slight stimulation at 2-4 g/L. Small phenolic compounds mixture might also have a concentration-dependent effect on cellulase activity: significant stimulation at 2-8 g/L and slight inhibition at 0.05-1 g/L. The small phenolic compounds in pretreated stover were proven to be able to significantly stimulate enzymatic hydrolysis of stover. On the basis of these results, it is proposed that the concentration-dependent effects of small phenolic compounds on cellulase activity should be considered while removing them after pretreatment.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190, China.|Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049, China.
authors.forename: Junying
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190, China.
authors.forename: Hongzhang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
keywords: cellulase activity; corn stover; inhibition; small phenolic compounds; steam explosion; stimulation