Utilization of miscanthus waste biomass for xylanase production by soil bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti

Abstract

Miscanthus × giganteus, as a lignocellulosic material, consists of about 30% xylan and represents a good basis for research as a possible raw material in the production of xylanases. Among the soil bacteria, rhizobium is rarely investigated as an enzyme producer. For the first time, Sinorhizobium meliloti strain 207 was used to obtain xylanase during submerged and solid fermentation using miscanthus biomass as a substrate. During submerged fermentation (28°C), the maximum xylanase activity was achieved after 48 h with 10% inoculum and H2SO4 substrate modification. The maximum xylanase activity of 1.215 U/mL was obtained during solid-state fermentation (28°C) by using also H2SO4 modified miscanthus biomass which was moistened with distillate water. The crude enzyme, produced by strain 207, could be further used in eco-friendly processes of lignocellulose material bioconversion to useful products.