Integrated bioprocess for obtaining cello-oligosaccharides and cellulose nanocrystals through ultrasound-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis from agroindustrial wastes

Abstract

Cellooligosaccharides (COS) comprise a new class of non-digestible oligosaccharides, with potential functional and technological properties not yet fully elucidated. Cellulose nanocrystals (NCCs) are crystalline nanostructures, commonly obtained through acid hydrolysis of cellulose. Both bioproducts have a range of applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. The challenges of obtaining high yields of COS, associated with the economically viable production of NCCs by more ecological routes, encourage researchers to search for new strategies. Therefore, this project aims to produce, in an integrated, optimized, and economically viable manner cello-oligosaccharides and cellulose nanocrystals through ultrasound-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis of agro-industrial residues, such as sugarcane bagasse, corn husk, and rice straw. It is believed that the ultrasonic waves associated with the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose can promote high yields of COS and NCCs simultaneously. It is important to emphasize that this work has an original and innovative character since there are no studies in the literature that encompass the integrated, optimized, and economically viable production of these bioproducts, much fewer studies that evaluate the robust prospecting of functional properties (prebiotics, antioxidants, antimicrobials, antidiabetic and antihypertensive) and technological (rheological, emulsifier and stabilizer) that we intend to determine. The project is associated with FAPESP Process 2019/08542-3 (Enzymatic Biotechnology for the production of xylooligosaccharides from lignocellulosic agro-industrial residues aiming at the production of symbiotics), in which we operate. (AU)