Cellulose-coated emulsion micro-particles self-assemble with yeasts for cellulose bio-conversion

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 14; no. 1; p. 5499
• Main Authors: Hamal, Ester Korkus, Alfassi, Gilad, Antonenko, Margarita, Rein, Dmitry M, Cohen, Yachin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Nature Publishing Group 06.03.2024; Nature Publishing Group UK; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: Alternative energy sources; Biodiesel fuels; Biofuels; Cellulase; Cellulose; Channeling; Coatings; Emulsions; Engineering; Enzymes; Ethanol; Fermentation; Glucose; Hybrids; Hydrogels; Metabolism; Renewable energy sources; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Sensors; Yeast; Yeast, Dried; Yeasts
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56204-0

In the quest for alternative renewable energy sources, a new self-assembled hybrid configuration of cellulose-coated oil-in-water emulsion particles with yeast was formed. In this research, the addition of yeasts (S. cerevisiae) to the micro-particle emulsion revealed a novel self-assembly configuration in which the yeast cell is connected to surrounding cellulose-coated micro-particles. This hybrid configuration may enhance the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process by substrate channeling. Glucose produced by hydrolysis of the cellulose shells coating the micro-particles, catalyzed by cellulytic enzymes attached to their coating, is directly fermented to ethanol by the yeasts to which the particles are connected. The results indicate ethanol yield of 62%, based on the cellulose content of the emulsion, achieved by the yeast/micro-particle hybrids. The functionality of this hybrid configuration is expected to serve as a micro-reactor for a cascade of biochemical reactions in a "one-pot" consolidated process transforming cellulose to valuable chemicals, such as biodiesel.