Adsorption and desorption of cellulases on/from lignin-rich residues from corn stover

Abstract The impact of lignin-rich residues (LRRs) on cellulose hydrolysis and the adsorption/desorption of cellulases on/from LRRs were investigated. The LRRs were prepared from dilute acid (LRR-DA) and dilute alkaline (LRR-NaOH) -pretreated corn stover. The results showed that LRR-DA exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect than LRR-NaOH, which could be because of the higher surface lignin content in LRR-DA. The adsorption of cellulases on LRRs was in good agreement with the Langmuir isotherm model and LRR-DA exhibited the highest maximum adsorption capacity (48.4 mg/g). Cellulases that were adsorbed on LRR-DA and LRR-NaOH could be released by adding fresh buffer while retaining their hydrolytic capacities. This work shows that dilute alkaline pretreatment was more suitable than dilute acid pretreatment for corn stover because the residue from enzymatic hydrolysis of the dilute alkaline pretreatment exhibited a lower inhibitory effect and cellulases adsorption capacity.