Synergism between enzymes during hydrolysis of cellulose

Importance of the synergism between the enzymes in cellulase systems upon hydrolysis of cellulose systems has been reported extensively. In the past study, JGC Corporation has shown that CBH2 was extremely vulnerable to the sheer stress from agitation, and the synergism between CBH1 and CBH2 can result in large reduction of enzyme loading (Bioresource Technology 121(2012) 154-160). In this study, the mechanism of synergism was investigated from new perspective using individual cellulase components were prepared by fractionation of Cellulase SS, commercial Trichoderma reesei cellulase by Nagase Chemtex. The individual enzymes were added sequentially to 10 w/v% filter paper and pulp slurry. For example, hydrolysis of the substrates was initiated using CBH1 and BGL, and CBH2 or EG1 was added during the middle of the reaction. Sugar concentration and the enzyme concentration of hydrolyzate were measured during the hydrolysis. The results showed that between pulp and filter paper, there was a difference in types of enzymes that works synergistically. Also, upon hydrolysis of pulp, it was found that although the reaction proceeds to almost full yield using only CBHs, addition of EG1 is required for CBHs to desorb from the substrates. When the reaction yield was at 80%, CBH1 concentration of the hydrolyzate was 20% of the initial concentration without EG1 addition, while the concentration was 60% of the initial concentration with addition of EG1.