A novel biodegradable ammonia control material was developed from steam exploded corn cob and its adsorption capacity was studied by packed column and titration method. The packed column studies showed that the maximum absorption capacities of the raw corn cob (RCC) and the steam exploded corn cob (SECC) were 10.45 mg NHB3B/gRCC and 59.80 mg NHB3B/gSECC respectively. However, the titration of the water slurries with a NHB4BOH showed that the capacity of the SECC was 14.4 times that of RCC. The large difference between the packed column (SECC/RCC = 5.7) and the slurry titration (SECC/RCC = 14.4) was probably because: (1) the initial ammonia reaction products blocked the pores of the SECC and reduced diffusion into the pore structure; (2) the ammonia gas flow rates were too high and therefore the gas did not penetrate the pores; (3) the gas contact time was below the equilibrium value; and (4) since interior pore surface area is usually larger than the external surface area of a particle, it appears the low column SECC/RCC ratio is due to reactions on the SECC particle surface whereas the slurry result was a combination of both. Fourier Transform Infrared, FTIR spectroscopy was conducted on RCC, SECC, ammonia adsorbed on RCC and ammonia adsorbed on SECC in the range 4000–700 cmP-1P. The FTIR bands in the region between 1500 and 2000 cmPâ 1P showed a considerable difference between RCC and SECC. When SECC was treated with ammonia, the carboxylic functional group peak at 1700 cmP-1P was reduced and a new peak was observed at 1584 cmP-1P. The adsorption, desorption test and the heat of adsorption results suggested combined physisorption and chemisorption of ammonia on SECC but chemisorption was found to play an important role in ammonia removal. The BET specific surface area of RCC was 3.4 m2/g whilst that SECC was less than 1 m2/g. Although SECC had a low surface area compared with RCC its adsorption capacity was found to be greater than that of RCC meaning the adsorption process is chemically controlled. Also, the pore size distribution showed that RCC exhibited both macroporosity and mesoporosity whilst SECC showed only mesoporosity. It is interesting to note that upon steam exploding RCC, the macropores within RCC collapsed to form more mesopores in SECC. The high uptake of SECC was determined to be its small pore width compared to that RCC. Simultaneous Differential Scanning Calorimetry, DSC and Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer, TGA, was used to determine the heat of adsorption of ammonia on SECC. The heat of adsorption of ammonia on SECC was 33.00 kJ per mole of NHB3B. This study shows that SECC could be potentially used to remove NHB3B from various emission sources. / Master of Science

Šiame darbe yra nagrinėjamos kukurūzų burbuolių ir grūdų fizikinės-mechaninės savybės, jų svarba iškūlimui, valymui bei tolesniam perdirbimui. Literatūros apžvalgoje atlikta kukurūzų burbuolių ir grūdų fizikinių-mechaninių savybių bei grūdo atsistatymo koeficiento mokslinių tyrimų analizė. Eksperimentiniais tyrimais nustatytas kukurūzų grūdų atsistatymo koeficientas. Tirtas kukurūzų burbuolių atsparumas lenkimui, gniuždymui ir radialiniam spaudimui. Atlikti grūdo atskyrimo jėgos nustatymo spaudžiant juos eilutėje specialiu antgaliu tyrimai. Nustatytas vieno grūdo atskyrimo jėgos dydis priklausomai nuo spaudžiamų grūdų eilutėje skaičiaus. Švytuokline daužykle atlikti kuliamos kukurūzo burbuolės, imituojant judėjimą pobūgnio paviršiumi, bandymai. Nustatyta spragilo smūgio impulso dydžio įtaka grūdų atskyrimui nuo šerdies. Taip pat nustatyta spragilo smūgio į burbuolę trukmė ir burbuolės sąlyčio su spragilu trukmės priklausomybė nuo spragilo greičio smūgio metu. Darbą apibendrina 9 išvados, jo pabaigoje pateiktas informacijos šaltinių sąrašas. / Physical-mechanical properties of corn cobs and grain and their influence for the thrashing, cleaning and conversion in this work are discussed. The review of the sciential researches of physical-mechanical properties of corn cobs and grain is done, also the researches of the set-factor of corn grain is reviewed. The results of the researches of the set-factor of corn grain is represented, the resistance for bending, vertical and horizontal compression are done. Researches of corn grain detaching from cob compressing few grains in the line are done and the results are presented. The experiment of the corn cob movement through the gap between the concave and the raspbar in the pendulum striker is made, the continuance of the impact impulse of the raspbar is determinated, also the influence of the strike impulse for the grain detaching from the corn cob is presented. It is also presented the results of the research of the continuance of contact between the corn cob and raspbar depending on the raspbar velocity before the impact. 8 conclusions summarize this work and, finally, the list of references is presented.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering / Wenqiao Yuan / Donghai Wang / Corncobs were used as the feedstock to investigate the effect of operating conditions and crude glycerol (solvent) on bio-oil production. The highest bio-oil yield of 33.8% on the basis of biomass dry weight was obtained at 305°C, 20 min retention time, 10% biomass content, 0.5% catalyst loading. At selected conditions, bio-oil yield based on the total weight of corn cobs and crude glycerol increased to 36.3% as the crude glycerol/corn cobs ratio increased to 5. Furthermore, the optimization of operating conditions was conducted via response surface methodology. A maximum bio-oil yield of 41.3% was obtained at 280°C, 12min, 21% biomass content, and 1.56% catalyst loading. A highest bio-oil carbon content of 74.8% was produced at 340°C with 9% biomass content. A maximum carbon recovery of 25.2% was observed at 280°C, 12min, 21% biomass content, and 1.03% catalyst loading. The effect of biomass ecotype and planting location on bio-oil production were studied on big bluestems. Significant differences were found in the yield and elemental composition of bio-oils produced from big bluestem of different ecotypes and/or planting locations. Generally, the IL ecotype and the Carbondale, IL and Manhattan, KS planting locations gave higher bio-oil yield, which can be attributed to the higher total cellulose and hemicellulose content and/or the higher carbon but lower oxygen contents in these feedstocks. Bio-oil from the IL ecotype also had the highest carbon and lowest oxygen contents, which were not affected by the planting location. In order to better understand the mechanisms of hydrothermal conversion, the interaction effects between cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in hydrothermal conversion were studied. Positive interaction between cellulose and lignin, but negative interaction between cellulose and hemicellulose were observed. No significant interaction was found between hemicelluose and lignin. Hydrothermal conversion of corncobs, big bluestems, switchgrass, cherry, pecan, pine, hazelnut shell, and their model biomass also were conducted. Bio-oil yield increased as real biomass cellulose and hemicellulose content increased, but an opposite trend was observed for low lignin content model biomass.

Os materiais lignocelulósicos, devido ao seu importante potencial de conversão em açúcares e biocombustíveis, estão sendo extensivamente estudados, nas últimas três décadas. O uso de sabugo de milho como matéria-prima lignocelulósica oferece possibilidades promissoras para a produção de energia renovável. A lignocelulose normalmente consiste em celulose, hemicelulose e lignina. A celulose e a hemicelulose podem ser convertidas em açúcares através de processos químicos ou biológicos, e estes açúcares (principalmente glicose, xilose e arabinose) podem ser fermentados a produtos químicos valiosos como o bioetanol. Na conversão de biomassa em biocombustíveis, o pré-tratamento é o primeiro passo para desestruturar a lignocelulose, deixando-a mais acessível para enzimas que convertem os carboidratos em açúcares fermentescíveis. A tecnologia de extrusão por dupla rosca é comumente usada nas indústrias de polímeros e alimentos, podendo ser um método de pré-tratamento viável, uma vez que possui capacidade de expor a biomassa a uma variedade de condições de cisalhamento sob diferentes temperaturas em um processo de fluxo contínuo, com grande quantidade de sólidos (40-60% em massa). Neste trabalho, foi avaliada a hidrólise enzimática do sabugo de milho pré-tratado em extrusora de dupla rosca para obtenção de açúcares. O pré-tratamento por extrusão, a 115-130°C e 14 rpm (velocidade da dupla rosca), empregou uma relação sólido:líquido de 1:1, onde a fração líquida foi estudada variando-se a relação dos aditivos água e glicerol. O sabugo de milho extrudado, na melhor relação água e glicerol, foi hidrolisado pelo complexo enzimático Cellic CTec2, associado ou não ao Cellic HTec2, empregando-se carga de sólidos de 10%. Na sequência, a dosagem de enzimas e a carga de sólidos foram otimizadas pela metodologia de superfície de resposta (RSM), a fim de se obter elevados valores de conversão de celulose em glicose (y1) e produtividade em glicose (y2). A extrusão do sabugo de milho foi favorecida com o uso de água e glicerol na relação 25:25 (% m/m). O glicerol presente no meio não causou inibição na hidrólise enzimática dispensando a etapa de lavagem dos sólidos. O complexo enzimático comercial Cellic Ctec2 favoreceu a conversão de celulose em glicose. Através da metodologia de análise de superfície de resposta (RSM), foram estabelecidas a dosagem do complexo enzimático comercial Cellic Ctec2 (32 FPU/gmaterial lignocelulósico seco) e a carga de sólidos (17,8% m/m) para maximizar as conversões de celulose em glicose (90,4% m/m) e de hemicelulose em xilose e arabinose (44,0% m/m) e produtividade em glicose (0,69 g/L.h). O rendimento em açúcares totais (323 Kg de glicose e 148 Kg de xilose e arabinose) foi de 471 Kg para cada tonelada de sabugo de milho seco. Nesta condição, as constantes cinéticas para a conversão de celulose em glicose foram: Vmax de 6,00 % (m/m)/h e Km de 22,59 gcelulose/Lsolução. Estes resultados são promissores para obtenção de um hidrolisado de sabugo de milho com elevado teor de monossacarídeos para uso em bioprocessos, de forma sustentável e com mínimo impacto ambiental. / Lignocellulosic materials due to their significant conversion potential in sugars and biofuels have been extensively studied in the last three decades. The use of corn cob as a lignocellulosic feedstock offers promising possibilities for the production of renewable energy. Lignocellulose usually consists of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Cellulose and hemicellulose can be converted into sugars by chemical or biological processes, and these sugars (especially glucose, xylose and arabinose) can be fermented to valuable chemicals such as bioethanol. In the conversion of biomass to biofuels, pretreatment is the first step in de-structuring lignocellulose, making it more accessible to enzymes that convert carbohydrates to fermentable sugars. Twin screw extrusion technology is commonly used in the polymer and food industries, and it may be a viable pretreatment method due to its ability to simultaneously expose biomass to a variety of shear conditions at different temperature in a flow continuous process using large amount of material (40-60% of biomass). In this work, the enzymatic hydrolysis of corn cob was evaluated after its pretreatment in a twin-screw extruder to obtain sugars. Extrusion pretreatment, at 115-130°C and 14 rpm (double screw velocity), employed a solid: liquid ratio of 1: 1, where the liquid fraction was studied by varying the ratio of water and glycerol additives. Extruded corn cob, in the best water and glycerol ratio, was hydrolyzed by the Cellic CTec2 enzymatic complex, associated or not to Cellic HTec2, using 10% solids loading. In the sequence, the dosage of enzymes and the solids loading were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) to obtain high values of cellulose conversion to glucose (y1), and glucose productivity (y2). The extrusion of corn cob was favored by using water and glycerol in the ratio of 25:25 (% m/m). The glycerol present in the medium did not cause inhibition in the enzymatic hydrolysis dispensing the washing step of the solids. The commercial enzymatic complex Cellic Ctec2 favored the conversion of cellulose to glucose. By the response surface methodology (RSM) were established the dosage of the commercial enzymatic complex Cellic Ctec2 (32 FPU/g dry lignocellulosic material) and solids loading (17.8% m/m) to maximize the conversions of cellulose to glucose (90.4% w/w) and of hemicellulose to xylose and arabinose (44.0% w/w) and glucose productivity (0.69 g/Lh). The yield of total sugars (323 kg of glucose and 148 kg of xylose and arabinose) was 471 kg for each ton of dried corn cob. In this condition, the kinetic constants for the conversion of cellulose to glucose were: Vmax of 6.00% (m/m)/h and Km of 22.59 gcellulose/Lsolution. These results are promising for obtaining a corn cob hydrolysate with high content of monosaccharides to be used in bioprocesses, in a sustainable manner and with minimal environmental impact.

A exploração indiscriminada dos combustíveis fósseis vem alertando para o colapso próximo do suprimento de energia. Fontes alternativas vêm sendo exploradas com o propósito de apresentarem-se como combustíveis com o mesmo potencial, além de estarem inseridas em um contexto de desenvolvimento sustentável. O Brasil, por consolidar sua posição com forte mercado agroindustrial e dispor de uma grande variedade de unidades agrícolas possui como subprodutos uma alta quantidade de resíduos, como o sabugo de milho. Assim, buscam-se viabilizar metodologias que tornem a exploração desta fonte economicamente vantajosa para a obtenção de etanol de segunda geração (2G). Novas metodologias vêm propondo o emprego de tensoativos como aditivos tanto no prétratamento quanto na hidrólise enzimática de materiais lignocelulósicos. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho objetivou estudar a hidrólise enzimática do sabugo de milho pré-tratado por ácido diluído na presença de diferentes concentrações do tensoativo Tween 80 em associação com a dosagem do complexo enzimático Cellic CTec2 para a obtenção de um hidrolisado rico em glicose para obtenção de etanol pela levedura Scheffersomyces stipitis CBS 6054 através do processo SHF (Separate Hydrolysis and Fermentation). Os ensaios foram conduzidos de acordo com planejamento experimental 23 com face centrada e 3 repetições no ponto central. As variáveis estudadas foram: concentração de surfactante no pré-tratamento e na hidrólise enzimática e dosagem do complexo enzimático. Os resultados mostraram que o uso do surfactante no pré-tratamento com ácido sulfúrico diluído surtiu maior efeito na remoção de lignina e hemicelulose quando empregado na concentração de 10% (m/m). Nesta condição foi possível observar um aumento (21,1%) na perda de celulose em relação ao pré-tratamento sem a presença de surfactante. A maior diminuição na cristalinidade (81,23%) foi com o uso de 10% do tensoativo. A análise da superfície de resposta permitiu determinar as condições ótimas do processo SHF para obtenção de máximo rendimento em glicose (entre 80 e 90 %) que foi quando a concentração de surfactante no pré-tratamento aumentou de 0 a 10 % (m/m) mantendo-se constante em seu nível superior a concentração de surfactante na hidrolise enzimática (10 % m/m) com redução na dosagem de enzima (25,50 FPU/gmaterial lignocelulósico seco). Nestas condições experimentais obteve-se favorecimento no rendimento em glicose (80,54%) e concentração em glicose (61,98 g/L) no meio reacional concomitantemente com o favorecimento no rendimento em xilose (70,66%). Esta levedura fermentou concomitantemente os açúcares (glicose, xilose e celobiose) a etanol com elevados fator de conversão (0,37 g/g) e produtividade volumétrica (1,02 getanol/L.h). A velocidade especifica máxima de consumo destes açúcares foi favorecida na seguinte ordem: glicose, celobiose e xilose. Após esta fermentação foi obtido um material com uma superfície mais porosa e fragmentada. Este fato evidenciou que o complexo enzimático agiu eficientemente quebrando a celulose cristalina obtendo um material amorfo. Espera-se que este trabalho tenha contribuído para o desenvolvimento de uma tecnologia alternativa para a produção de etanol por via biotecnológica a partir da fração lignocelulósica do sabugo de milho, a fim de mitigar os impactos ambientais intrínsecos ao processo. / The indiscriminate exploitation of fossil fuels has been warning of the near collapse of the energy supply. Alternative sources have been explored with the purpose of presenting themselves as fuels with the same potential, besides being inserted in a context of sustainable development. Brazil, by consolidating its position with a strong agroindustrial market and having a wide variety of agricultural units, has as a by-product a high amount of waste, such as corn cob. Thus, we seek to make feasible methodologies that make the exploitation of this source economically advantageous to obtain second generation etanol (2G). New methodologies have proposed the use of surfactants as additives in both pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials. In this context, the present work aimed to study the enzymatic hydrolysis of diluted-acid pretreated corn cob in the presence of different concentrations of the Tween 80 surfactant in combination with the dosage of the Cellic CTec2 enzymatic complex to obtain a glucose rich hydrolysate to produce ethanol by the yeast Scheffersomyces stipitis CBS 6054 in SHF (Separate Hydrolysis and Fermentation) process. The experiments were conducted according to experimental design 23 with centered face and 3 repetitions at the central point. The variables studied were: concentration of surfactant in the pretreatment and in the enzymatic hydrolysis and dosage of the enzymatic complex. The results showed that the use of surfactant in the pretreatment with diluted sulfuric acid had a greater effect on the removal of lignin and hemicellulose when used at the concentration of 10% (w/w). In this condition, the cellulose content was decreased by 21.1% as compared with the amount presents in the diluted-acid corn cob pretreatment without surfactant. The greatest decrease in crystallinity (81.23%) was with the use of 10% of the surfactant. The response surface analysis allowed to determine the optimum conditions of the SHF process to obtain maximum glucose yield (between 80 and 90%), when the pre-treatment surfactante concentration increased from 0 to 10% (w/w) with a reduction in the enzyme dosage (25,50 FPU/g dry lignocellulosic material) at a higher level than the surfactant concentration in the enzymatic hydrolysis. In these experimental conditions, glucose yield (80.54%) and glucose concentration (61.98 g/L) in the reaction medium were favored concomitantly with xylose yield (70.66%). This yeast concomitantly fermented the sugars (glucose, xylose and cellobiose) to ethanol with high conversion factor (0.37 g/g) and volumetric productivity (1.02 getanol/L.h). The maximum specific velocity of consumption of these sugars was favored in the following order: glucose, cellobiose and xylose. After this fermentation was obtained a material with a more porous and fragmented surface. This fact evidenced that the enzymatic complex acted efficiently breaking down the crystalline cellulose obtaining an amorphous material. It is hoped that this work had contributed to the development of an alternative technology to produce ethanol by Biotechnological route from the corn cob lignocellulosic fraction in order to mitigate the environmental impacts intrinsic to the process.

Production of xylanase and itaconic acid (IA) from Aspergillus terreus NRRL 1960 from agricultural residues was investigated in this study. Two different media were tested and the medium having itaconic acid inducing capacity was chosen for further studies due to its high xylanase and IA production capacity. The best xylan concentration was found as 2% (w/v). Addition of commercial xylanase to production culture resulted in higher initial simple sugar concentration which increased IA production slightly but decreased xylanase production. Among tested agricultural residues / corn cob, cotton stalk and sunflower stalk, the highest xylanase production was obtained on corn cob. Increasing the corn cob concentration and applying wet heat pretreatment increased the xylanase production level. In a two-step fermentation process, 70000 IU/L xylanase production was achieved in a medium containing 7% wet heat treated corn cob followed by 17 g/L IA production in a medium containing 10% glucose. Molecular weight and isoelectric point of xylanase were found as 19 kDa and pH 9.0, respectively. The enzyme was optimally active at 50&deg / C and pH 6.5-7.0. Kinetic experiments at 50&deg / C and pH 7.0 resulted in apparent Km and Vmax values of 2.5&plusmn / 0.05 mg xylan/mL and 50.2&plusmn / 0.4 IU/&micro / g protein, respectively. The major products of birchwood xylan hydrolysis were determined by thin layer chromatography as xylobiose and xylotriose. These findings indicate that the enzyme could be advantageous for use in different industrial applications due to its low molecular weight and its potential use for xylooligosaccharide production.

Šiame darbe yra nagrinėjamos kukurūzų grūdų ir burbuolių fizikinės-mechaninės savybės, jų brendimo laikotarpyje, veikiant pusiau statine apkrova. Literatūros apžvalgoje atlikta kukurūzų burbuolių ir grūdų fizikinių-mechaninių savybių bei grūdų tamprumo modulio mokslinių tyrimų analizė. Moksliniai eksperimentiniai tyrimai buvo atlikti 2012 metų rugsėjo-spalio mėnesiais, dukart savaitėje, Žemės ūkio mašinų tyrimų laboratorijoje fizikinių-mechaninių savybių tyrimo mašina „Instron 5960“. Eksperimentiniais tyrimais nustatyti kukurūzų grūdų ir burbuolių biometriniai rodikliai. Tirtas kukurūzų burbuolių atsparumas lenkimui ir gniuždymui. Atlikti grūdo atskyrimo jėgos nustatymo spaudžiant juos eilutėje specialiu antgaliu tyrimai. Atliktas grūdų gniuždymo bandymas, spaudžiant grūdą iki visiško suirimo. Tyrimų duomenys apdoroti statistiškai. Tyrimais nustatyta, kad grūdams bręstant, rugsėjo-spalio mėnesiais, kukurūzų grūdų drėgnis sumažėja nuo 50,94±1,64% iki 36,21±0,52%, o maksimali jėga, reikalinga suardyti grūdą, padidėja nuo 91,54±16,75 N iki 200,67±18,43 N. / This study was carried out to determine the physical and mechanical properties in different physiological maturity stage of corn grains and corn ears. The study of the mechanical properties of corn grains and ears were performed under quasi-static conditions with the unit “Instron-5960”. Corn ears bending were determined, when the gap between the support beams was 60 mm and 120 mm. The rupture force of ear breaking decreases with an increasing of distance between the supports. The grain was loaded at three different orientations: over the length, over the width and over the thickness. Single grain was placed between two parallel plates and gradually compressed, while simultaneously recording the force and the corresponding deformation that occurred until the grain ruptured. At this point the force suddenly decreased, while the deformation continued. In most cases the initial portion of the load-deformation curve of the grain is approximately linear up to certain levels of deformation beyond which it became non-linear. The observed bioyield point represents the yield point in the biological materials. This is an indication of initial cell rupture in the cellular structure of the material. Research data were processed statistically. The results showed that the max rupture force of corn grain increased from 91.54±16.75 N to 200.67±18.43 N by decreasing the moisture content from 50.94±1.64% to 36.21±0.52%, respectively. 5 conclusions summarize this work and, finally, the list of... [to full text]

A exploração indiscriminada dos combustíveis fósseis vem alertando para o colapso próximo do suprimento de energia. Fontes alternativas vêm sendo exploradas com o propósito de apresentarem-se como combustíveis com o mesmo potencial, além de estarem inseridas em um contexto de desenvolvimento sustentável. O Brasil, por consolidar sua posição com forte mercado agroindustrial e dispor de uma grande variedade de unidades agrícolas possui como subprodutos uma alta quantidade de resíduos, como o sabugo de milho. Assim, buscam-se viabilizar metodologias que tornem a exploração desta fonte economicamente vantajosa para a obtenção de etanol de segunda geração (2G). Novas metodologias vêm propondo o emprego de tensoativos como aditivos tanto no prétratamento quanto na hidrólise enzimática de materiais lignocelulósicos. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho objetivou estudar a hidrólise enzimática do sabugo de milho pré-tratado por ácido diluído na presença de diferentes concentrações do tensoativo Tween 80 em associação com a dosagem do complexo enzimático Cellic CTec2 para a obtenção de um hidrolisado rico em glicose para obtenção de etanol pela levedura Scheffersomyces stipitis CBS 6054 através do processo SHF (Separate Hydrolysis and Fermentation). Os ensaios foram conduzidos de acordo com planejamento experimental 23 com face centrada e 3 repetições no ponto central. As variáveis estudadas foram: concentração de surfactante no pré-tratamento e na hidrólise enzimática e dosagem do complexo enzimático. Os resultados mostraram que o uso do surfactante no pré-tratamento com ácido sulfúrico diluído surtiu maior efeito na remoção de lignina e hemicelulose quando empregado na concentração de 10% (m/m). Nesta condição foi possível observar um aumento (21,1%) na perda de celulose em relação ao pré-tratamento sem a presença de surfactante. A maior diminuição na cristalinidade (81,23%) foi com o uso de 10% do tensoativo. A análise da superfície de resposta permitiu determinar as condições ótimas do processo SHF para obtenção de máximo rendimento em glicose (entre 80 e 90 %) que foi quando a concentração de surfactante no pré-tratamento aumentou de 0 a 10 % (m/m) mantendo-se constante em seu nível superior a concentração de surfactante na hidrolise enzimática (10 % m/m) com redução na dosagem de enzima (25,50 FPU/gmaterial lignocelulósico seco). Nestas condições experimentais obteve-se favorecimento no rendimento em glicose (80,54%) e concentração em glicose (61,98 g/L) no meio reacional concomitantemente com o favorecimento no rendimento em xilose (70,66%). Esta levedura fermentou concomitantemente os açúcares (glicose, xilose e celobiose) a etanol com elevados fator de conversão (0,37 g/g) e produtividade volumétrica (1,02 getanol/L.h). A velocidade especifica máxima de consumo destes açúcares foi favorecida na seguinte ordem: glicose, celobiose e xilose. Após esta fermentação foi obtido um material com uma superfície mais porosa e fragmentada. Este fato evidenciou que o complexo enzimático agiu eficientemente quebrando a celulose cristalina obtendo um material amorfo. Espera-se que este trabalho tenha contribuído para o desenvolvimento de uma tecnologia alternativa para a produção de etanol por via biotecnológica a partir da fração lignocelulósica do sabugo de milho, a fim de mitigar os impactos ambientais intrínsecos ao processo. / The indiscriminate exploitation of fossil fuels has been warning of the near collapse of the energy supply. Alternative sources have been explored with the purpose of presenting themselves as fuels with the same potential, besides being inserted in a context of sustainable development. Brazil, by consolidating its position with a strong agroindustrial market and having a wide variety of agricultural units, has as a by-product a high amount of waste, such as corn cob. Thus, we seek to make feasible methodologies that make the exploitation of this source economically advantageous to obtain second generation etanol (2G). New methodologies have proposed the use of surfactants as additives in both pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials. In this context, the present work aimed to study the enzymatic hydrolysis of diluted-acid pretreated corn cob in the presence of different concentrations of the Tween 80 surfactant in combination with the dosage of the Cellic CTec2 enzymatic complex to obtain a glucose rich hydrolysate to produce ethanol by the yeast Scheffersomyces stipitis CBS 6054 in SHF (Separate Hydrolysis and Fermentation) process. The experiments were conducted according to experimental design 23 with centered face and 3 repetitions at the central point. The variables studied were: concentration of surfactant in the pretreatment and in the enzymatic hydrolysis and dosage of the enzymatic complex. The results showed that the use of surfactant in the pretreatment with diluted sulfuric acid had a greater effect on the removal of lignin and hemicellulose when used at the concentration of 10% (w/w). In this condition, the cellulose content was decreased by 21.1% as compared with the amount presents in the diluted-acid corn cob pretreatment without surfactant. The greatest decrease in crystallinity (81.23%) was with the use of 10% of the surfactant. The response surface analysis allowed to determine the optimum conditions of the SHF process to obtain maximum glucose yield (between 80 and 90%), when the pre-treatment surfactante concentration increased from 0 to 10% (w/w) with a reduction in the enzyme dosage (25,50 FPU/g dry lignocellulosic material) at a higher level than the surfactant concentration in the enzymatic hydrolysis. In these experimental conditions, glucose yield (80.54%) and glucose concentration (61.98 g/L) in the reaction medium were favored concomitantly with xylose yield (70.66%). This yeast concomitantly fermented the sugars (glucose, xylose and cellobiose) to ethanol with high conversion factor (0.37 g/g) and volumetric productivity (1.02 getanol/L.h). The maximum specific velocity of consumption of these sugars was favored in the following order: glucose, cellobiose and xylose. After this fermentation was obtained a material with a more porous and fragmented surface. This fact evidenced that the enzymatic complex acted efficiently breaking down the crystalline cellulose obtaining an amorphous material. It is hoped that this work had contributed to the development of an alternative technology to produce ethanol by Biotechnological route from the corn cob lignocellulosic fraction in order to mitigate the environmental impacts intrinsic to the process.

O sabugo de milho, devido a sua estrutura lignocelulósica, pode servir como fonte de biomassa renovável na produção de açúcares solúveis que podem ser convertidos em produtos de elevados valores agregados, como etanol e outros. A hidrólise ácida é o método mais utilizado na obtenção de hidrolisado hemicelulósico de materiais lignocelulósicos ricos em açúcares fermentescíveis, sendo o açúcar xilose em maior concentração. A levedura fermentadora de xilose Scheffersomyces stipitis está entre os poucos organismos que utilizam a xilose e a glicose e exibem um sistema regulatório de transição entre o processo respiratório e o fermentativo. Este trabalho teve como objetivo contribuir para o desenvolvimento de uma tecnologia de obtenção de bioetanol por S. stipitis CBS 6054, a partir da fração hemicelulósica do sabugo de milho, avaliando a formulação nutricional do meio de fermentação. Como fonte de nitrogênio alternativa foi escolhida o farelo de soja. O hidrolisado hemicelulósico de sabugo de milho (HHSM), obtido por hidrólise ácida, foi concentrado a vácuo e tratado pela elevação e abaixamento de pH. O hidrolisado de farelo de soja foi obtido por hidrólise enzimática (Alcalase, 600C, 100 rpm, 3h). Para avaliar a solubilidade do hidrolisado de farelo de soja em HHSM (pH de 4,0 a 7,0) empregou-se planejamento fatorial 22 completo com análise de superfície de resposta (RSM). A suplementação do HHSM com a proteína de farelo de soja solubilizada em associação ou não com outros nutrientes (ureia e sulfato de amônio) na obtenção de bioetanol por S. stipitis foi avaliada por meio de um planejamento fatorial 23 completo com RSM. A fermentação foi realizada em frascos de Erlenmeyer (125 mL) contendo 50 mL de meio sob agitação de 150 rpm e 30 °C. A concentração de inoculo foi de 1,5 g/L de células. Os resultados mostraram que a hidrólise ácida favoreceu a remoção da fração hemicelulósica (88,05%) com pouca alteração na celulose (10,06%) e da lignina (27,07%) com relação ao material in natura, proporcionando um hidrolisado hemicelulósico rico em xilose (28,30 g/L) com baixas concentrações de compostos fenólicos e furanos. O tratamento do HHSM reduziu seu teor proteico em relação ao hidrolisado concentrado (74,76%) e hidrolisado original (28,53%). O farelo de soja foi de boa qualidade apresentando solubilidade da proteína em KOH igual a 82,99% e índice de urease igual a 0,00. A hidrólise enzimática de farelo de soja hidrolisou 50,45% mais proteína do que a extração aquosa de proteína de farelo de soja, obtendo-se 45 g/L de proteína solubilizada. Na quantificação de proteína pelo método de Lowry foi necessário levar em consideração a presença de espécies interferentes do HHSM. A máxima solubilização da proteína de soja (9,02 g/L) em HHSM foi obtida maximizando a concentração de hidrolisado de farelo de soja (5,0 g/L). O pH, nos níveis estudados, não influenciou a solubilização da proteína de soja em HHSM. Pela RMS, o valor máximo para o fator de conversão de açúcares em etanol (0,20 g/g) pode ser alcançado empregando-se hidrolisado de farelo de soja em seu nível superior (5,0 g/L) e uréia (3 g/L) e sulfato de amônio (3,0 g/L) em seus pontos centrais. A fonte de proteína de farelo de soja solubilizada em HHSM tem potencial como fonte de nitrogênio alternativa na produção de bioetanol por Scheffersomyces stipitis. / The corn cob, due to its lignocellulosic structure, can be used as a biomass renewable source for soluble sugars can be converted into high value-added products, such as ethanol and others. Acid hydrolysis is the mostly used method to obtain hemicellulosic hydrolysate from lignocellulosic materials, leading to the obtaining of the xylose sugar at the highest concentration, from their hemicellulosic fraction. The xylose fermenting yeast Scheffersomyces stipitis is among the few organisms that utilize both xylose and glucose regulatory systems and exhibits a transition between the respiratory and fermentative processes. This work aims to contribute to the development of a technology to obtain bioethanol by Scheffersomyces stipitis CBS 6054, from the corn cob hemicellulosic fraction, evaluating the nutritional formulation of the fermentation medium. As an alternative of nitrogen source, it was chosen soybean bran. The corn cob hemicellulosic hydrolysate (HHSM) was obtained by acid hydrolysis, vacuum evaporated and treated by pH variation. Hydrolysate of soybean bran was obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis (Alcalase, 60°C, 100 rpm, 3h). The solubility evaluation of the hydrolysate of soybean bran in HHSM (pH 4.0 to 7.0) was performed by 22 full factorial design using response surface methodology (RSM). The supplementation of HHSM with solubilized soybean bran protein associated or not with other nutrients (urea and ammonium sulphate) to obtain bioethanol employed a 23 full factorial design using RSM. The fermentation was carried out in Erlenmeyer flasks (125 mL) containing 50mL of medium stirred at 150rpm and 30 °C. The inoculum concentration was 1.5 g/L of cells. The results showed that the acid hydrolysis favored removal of the hemicellulosic fraction (88.05%) with little change in cellulose (10.06%) and lignin (27.07%) compared to the in natura material, providing a hemicellulosic hydrolysate rich in xylose (28.30 g/L) with low concentrations of phenolics compounds and furans. Treatment of HHSM reduced protein content in the vaccum evaporated hydrolysate (74.76%) and original hydrolysate (28.53%). Soybean bran had good quality as shown by the protein solubility of KOH of 82.99 % and by urease index of 0.00. The soybean bran enzymatic hydrolysis produced 50.45% more protein than aqueous soybean bran protein extraction, yielding 45 g/L of solubilized protein. In the determination of protein content by the Lowry method was necessary to take into account the presence of interfering species of the HHSM. The maximum soybean bran protein solubility (9.01 g/L) was obtained maximizing the concentration of hydrolysate of soybean bran (5.0 g /L) in HHSM. In the range studied in this work, the pH did not influence the solubility of soybean bran protein in HHSM. For the response surface methodology, the maximum value for the ethanol yield (0.20 g/g.) can be achieved employing hydrolysate of soybean bran in its upper level (5.0 g/L) and urea (3 g/L) and ammonium sulfate (3 g/L) in their center points. The source of soybean bran protein solubilized in HHSM has potential as an alternative nitrogen source for bioethanol production by Scheffersomyces stipitis.

O sabugo de milho, devido a sua estrutura lignocelulósica, pode servir como fonte de biomassa renovável na produção de açúcares solúveis que podem ser convertidos em produtos de elevados valores agregados, como etanol e outros. A hidrólise ácida é o método mais utilizado na obtenção de hidrolisado hemicelulósico de materiais lignocelulósicos ricos em açúcares fermentescíveis, sendo o açúcar xilose em maior concentração. A levedura fermentadora de xilose Scheffersomyces stipitis está entre os poucos organismos que utilizam a xilose e a glicose e exibem um sistema regulatório de transição entre o processo respiratório e o fermentativo. Este trabalho teve como objetivo contribuir para o desenvolvimento de uma tecnologia de obtenção de bioetanol por S. stipitis CBS 6054, a partir da fração hemicelulósica do sabugo de milho, avaliando a formulação nutricional do meio de fermentação. Como fonte de nitrogênio alternativa foi escolhida o farelo de soja. O hidrolisado hemicelulósico de sabugo de milho (HHSM), obtido por hidrólise ácida, foi concentrado a vácuo e tratado pela elevação e abaixamento de pH. O hidrolisado de farelo de soja foi obtido por hidrólise enzimática (Alcalase, 600C, 100 rpm, 3h). Para avaliar a solubilidade do hidrolisado de farelo de soja em HHSM (pH de 4,0 a 7,0) empregou-se planejamento fatorial 22 completo com análise de superfície de resposta (RSM). A suplementação do HHSM com a proteína de farelo de soja solubilizada em associação ou não com outros nutrientes (ureia e sulfato de amônio) na obtenção de bioetanol por S. stipitis foi avaliada por meio de um planejamento fatorial 23 completo com RSM. A fermentação foi realizada em frascos de Erlenmeyer (125 mL) contendo 50 mL de meio sob agitação de 150 rpm e 30 °C. A concentração de inoculo foi de 1,5 g/L de células. Os resultados mostraram que a hidrólise ácida favoreceu a remoção da fração hemicelulósica (88,05%) com pouca alteração na celulose (10,06%) e da lignina (27,07%) com relação ao material in natura, proporcionando um hidrolisado hemicelulósico rico em xilose (28,30 g/L) com baixas concentrações de compostos fenólicos e furanos. O tratamento do HHSM reduziu seu teor proteico em relação ao hidrolisado concentrado (74,76%) e hidrolisado original (28,53%). O farelo de soja foi de boa qualidade apresentando solubilidade da proteína em KOH igual a 82,99% e índice de urease igual a 0,00. A hidrólise enzimática de farelo de soja hidrolisou 50,45% mais proteína do que a extração aquosa de proteína de farelo de soja, obtendo-se 45 g/L de proteína solubilizada. Na quantificação de proteína pelo método de Lowry foi necessário levar em consideração a presença de espécies interferentes do HHSM. A máxima solubilização da proteína de soja (9,02 g/L) em HHSM foi obtida maximizando a concentração de hidrolisado de farelo de soja (5,0 g/L). O pH, nos níveis estudados, não influenciou a solubilização da proteína de soja em HHSM. Pela RMS, o valor máximo para o fator de conversão de açúcares em etanol (0,20 g/g) pode ser alcançado empregando-se hidrolisado de farelo de soja em seu nível superior (5,0 g/L) e uréia (3 g/L) e sulfato de amônio (3,0 g/L) em seus pontos centrais. A fonte de proteína de farelo de soja solubilizada em HHSM tem potencial como fonte de nitrogênio alternativa na produção de bioetanol por Scheffersomyces stipitis. / The corn cob, due to its lignocellulosic structure, can be used as a biomass renewable source for soluble sugars can be converted into high value-added products, such as ethanol and others. Acid hydrolysis is the mostly used method to obtain hemicellulosic hydrolysate from lignocellulosic materials, leading to the obtaining of the xylose sugar at the highest concentration, from their hemicellulosic fraction. The xylose fermenting yeast Scheffersomyces stipitis is among the few organisms that utilize both xylose and glucose regulatory systems and exhibits a transition between the respiratory and fermentative processes. This work aims to contribute to the development of a technology to obtain bioethanol by Scheffersomyces stipitis CBS 6054, from the corn cob hemicellulosic fraction, evaluating the nutritional formulation of the fermentation medium. As an alternative of nitrogen source, it was chosen soybean bran. The corn cob hemicellulosic hydrolysate (HHSM) was obtained by acid hydrolysis, vacuum evaporated and treated by pH variation. Hydrolysate of soybean bran was obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis (Alcalase, 60°C, 100 rpm, 3h). The solubility evaluation of the hydrolysate of soybean bran in HHSM (pH 4.0 to 7.0) was performed by 22 full factorial design using response surface methodology (RSM). The supplementation of HHSM with solubilized soybean bran protein associated or not with other nutrients (urea and ammonium sulphate) to obtain bioethanol employed a 23 full factorial design using RSM. The fermentation was carried out in Erlenmeyer flasks (125 mL) containing 50mL of medium stirred at 150rpm and 30 °C. The inoculum concentration was 1.5 g/L of cells. The results showed that the acid hydrolysis favored removal of the hemicellulosic fraction (88.05%) with little change in cellulose (10.06%) and lignin (27.07%) compared to the in natura material, providing a hemicellulosic hydrolysate rich in xylose (28.30 g/L) with low concentrations of phenolics compounds and furans. Treatment of HHSM reduced protein content in the vaccum evaporated hydrolysate (74.76%) and original hydrolysate (28.53%). Soybean bran had good quality as shown by the protein solubility of KOH of 82.99 % and by urease index of 0.00. The soybean bran enzymatic hydrolysis produced 50.45% more protein than aqueous soybean bran protein extraction, yielding 45 g/L of solubilized protein. In the determination of protein content by the Lowry method was necessary to take into account the presence of interfering species of the HHSM. The maximum soybean bran protein solubility (9.01 g/L) was obtained maximizing the concentration of hydrolysate of soybean bran (5.0 g /L) in HHSM. In the range studied in this work, the pH did not influence the solubility of soybean bran protein in HHSM. For the response surface methodology, the maximum value for the ethanol yield (0.20 g/g.) can be achieved employing hydrolysate of soybean bran in its upper level (5.0 g/L) and urea (3 g/L) and ammonium sulfate (3 g/L) in their center points. The source of soybean bran protein solubilized in HHSM has potential as an alternative nitrogen source for bioethanol production by Scheffersomyces stipitis.