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In situ measurements of oxidation–reduction potential and hydrogen peroxide concentration as tools for revealing LPMO inactivation during enzymatic saccharification of cellulose

Kadić, Adnan LU ; Várnai, Anikó ; Eijsink, Vincent G.H. ; Horn, Svein Jarle and Lidén, Gunnar LU (2021) In Biotechnology for Biofuels 14(1).
Abstract

Background: Biochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to simple sugars at commercial scale is hampered by the high cost of saccharifying enzymes. Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) may hold the key to overcome economic barriers. Recent studies have shown that controlled activation of LPMOs by a continuous H2O2 supply can boost saccharification yields, while overdosing H2O2 may lead to enzyme inactivation and reduce overall sugar yields. While following LPMO action by ex situ analysis of LPMO products confirms enzyme inactivation, currently no preventive measures are available to intervene before complete inactivation. Results: Here, we carried out enzymatic saccharification of... (More)

Background: Biochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to simple sugars at commercial scale is hampered by the high cost of saccharifying enzymes. Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) may hold the key to overcome economic barriers. Recent studies have shown that controlled activation of LPMOs by a continuous H2O2 supply can boost saccharification yields, while overdosing H2O2 may lead to enzyme inactivation and reduce overall sugar yields. While following LPMO action by ex situ analysis of LPMO products confirms enzyme inactivation, currently no preventive measures are available to intervene before complete inactivation. Results: Here, we carried out enzymatic saccharification of the model cellulose Avicel with an LPMO-containing enzyme preparation (Cellic CTec3) and H2O2 feed at 1 L bioreactor scale and followed the oxidation–reduction potential and H2O2 concentration in situ with corresponding electrode probes. The rate of oxidation of the reductant as well as the estimation of the amount of H2O2 consumed by LPMOs indicate that, in addition to oxidative depolymerization of cellulose, LPMOs consume H2O2 in a futile non-catalytic cycle, and that inactivation of LPMOs happens gradually and starts long before the accumulation of LPMO-generated oxidative products comes to a halt. Conclusion: Our results indicate that, in this model system, the collapse of the LPMO-catalyzed reaction may be predicted by the rate of oxidation of the reductant, the accumulation of H2O2 in the reactor or, indirectly, by a clear increase in the oxidation–reduction potential. Being able to monitor the state of the LPMO activity in situ may help maximizing the benefit of LPMO action during saccharification. Overcoming enzyme inactivation could allow improving overall saccharification yields beyond the state of the art while lowering LPMO and, potentially, cellulase loads, both of which would have beneficial consequences on process economics.

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author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
AA9, Avicel, Hydrogen peroxide electrode, Oxidation reduction potential, Saccharification
in
Biotechnology for Biofuels
volume
14
issue
1
article number
46
publisher
BioMed Central (BMC)
external identifiers
  • pmid:33602308
  • scopus:85100995269
ISSN
1754-6834
DOI
10.1186/s13068-021-01894-1
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
61fa3e8c-83e4-43ce-9a34-8368913f8831
date added to LUP
2021-03-01 07:35:25
date last changed
2024-07-11 09:03:19
@article{61fa3e8c-83e4-43ce-9a34-8368913f8831,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background: Biochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to simple sugars at commercial scale is hampered by the high cost of saccharifying enzymes. Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) may hold the key to overcome economic barriers. Recent studies have shown that controlled activation of LPMOs by a continuous H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> supply can boost saccharification yields, while overdosing H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> may lead to enzyme inactivation and reduce overall sugar yields. While following LPMO action by ex situ analysis of LPMO products confirms enzyme inactivation, currently no preventive measures are available to intervene before complete inactivation. Results: Here, we carried out enzymatic saccharification of the model cellulose Avicel with an LPMO-containing enzyme preparation (Cellic CTec3) and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> feed at 1 L bioreactor scale and followed the oxidation–reduction potential and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> concentration in situ with corresponding electrode probes. The rate of oxidation of the reductant as well as the estimation of the amount of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> consumed by LPMOs indicate that, in addition to oxidative depolymerization of cellulose, LPMOs consume H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> in a futile non-catalytic cycle, and that inactivation of LPMOs happens gradually and starts long before the accumulation of LPMO-generated oxidative products comes to a halt. Conclusion: Our results indicate that, in this model system, the collapse of the LPMO-catalyzed reaction may be predicted by the rate of oxidation of the reductant, the accumulation of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> in the reactor or, indirectly, by a clear increase in the oxidation–reduction potential. Being able to monitor the state of the LPMO activity in situ may help maximizing the benefit of LPMO action during saccharification. Overcoming enzyme inactivation could allow improving overall saccharification yields beyond the state of the art while lowering LPMO and, potentially, cellulase loads, both of which would have beneficial consequences on process economics.</p>}},
  author       = {{Kadić, Adnan and Várnai, Anikó and Eijsink, Vincent G.H. and Horn, Svein Jarle and Lidén, Gunnar}},
  issn         = {{1754-6834}},
  keywords     = {{AA9; Avicel; Hydrogen peroxide electrode; Oxidation reduction potential; Saccharification}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  publisher    = {{BioMed Central (BMC)}},
  series       = {{Biotechnology for Biofuels}},
  title        = {{In situ measurements of oxidation–reduction potential and hydrogen peroxide concentration as tools for revealing LPMO inactivation during enzymatic saccharification of cellulose}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13068-021-01894-1}},
  doi          = {{10.1186/s13068-021-01894-1}},
  volume       = {{14}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}