Utility of the anaerobic fungus Orpinomyces sp. C1A for biofuel production

Abstract

Anaerobic fungi belonging to Phylum Neocallimastigomycota are recognized by their efficiency in biomass degradation, which has led to considerable research into their potential role in biofuel production. I am evaluating the ability of an anaerobic fungal isolate Orpinomyces sp. strain C1A to degrade lignocellulosic biomass, with special interest in the function of the cellulose- and hemicellulose-degrading enzymes released by the fungi. The experimental design involved three steps of testing. First, the C1A was grown on sodium hydroxide-pretreated corn stover, in order to quantify fermentable sugar release into the culture medium. Once multiple lignocellulolytic enzyme activities were identified in the C1A culture media, detected by separate enzyme assays, the extent of biomass degradation, sugar release, and ethanol conversion was compared based on varying time of sampling from inoculation and time of E. coli addition. In the final step, this process was repeated, but on varying plant sources. The goal is to maximize biofuel production from this fungus by determining the optimal time for adding the organisms and retrieving their products, as well as the ideal lignocellulosic plant matter. The results suggest potential utility of strain C1A and other anaerobic fungi in biofuel and biochemical production.