Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Napoleon Ballroom C-D, 3rd fl (Sheraton New Orleans)
There is a need for ionic-liquid tolerant microorganisms and enzymes that efficiently deconstruct lignocellulose in a thermophilic and high-solids environment. High-solids incubations were completed to enrich for thermophilic microbial communities that decompose switchgrass in the presence of the ionic liquid 1-Ethyl, 3-methyimidizolium acetate (IL). Ionic liquid levels were increased from 0 to 6% on a total weight basis in successive high-solids enrichments. Successful enrichment of a microbial community that decomposed lignocellulose at 55C in the presence of 6wt% IL was identified in enrichments in which IL increased from 2wt% to 4wt% to 6wt%. Pyrotag results from progressive enrichments revealed selection of specific bacterial species that are promising sources of novel lignocellulolytic enzymes tolerant to the stresses of pretreated biomass.