<p>Researchers of Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) have identified a bacterium that can turn agricultural waste into industrial enzymes through a cost-effective and environment-friendly process. </p>.<p>The research team studied how a bacteria called ‘Bacillus sp PM06’ can aid in producing industrial enzymes and value-added products from agricultural waste. The research comes amid a renewed interest to make use of agricultural waste to produce industrial enzymes and second-generation ethanol as an alternative fuel source. </p>.<p>The wheat bran was found to be the most effective substrate followed by sago waste and rice bran.</p>.<p>The findings of the study, conducted by Prof Sathyanarayana N Gummadi, faculty of the Department of Biotechnology, IIT-M and Rekha Rajesh, Research Scholar, IIT M, have been published in the reputed peer-reviewed journal Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery.</p>.<p>"The organism which was isolated has a fermentation capacity to hydrolyse very low-cost lignocellulosic wastes without pre-treatment, thus reducing the cost of bioprocess for production of enzymes and industrial metabolites," Prof Gummadi said.</p>.<p>He said, "The most challenging aspect of bioconversion is the development of a one-step process which includes pre-treatment, enzyme hydrolysis and microbial fermentation thus minimizing environmental impact. Many researchers are focused on isolating single microorganisms producing multiple enzymes to solve the issues."</p>.<p>“But, IIT Madras researchers are successful in isolating a novel strain from sugarcane pressmud,” the professor added. </p>.<p>"The study demonstrated simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of different agro residues by a single novel organism," IIT-M said, adding that the research is unique because it takes a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach, producing renewable biofuels.</p>.<p>The institute said the study is of great relevance as it works on the principles of biomass-based biorefineries, which offer potential benefits for energy and environmental sustainability</p>.<p>“Every year nearly 100 to 150 tonnes of biomass are produced. Recently, there is a high interest worldwide to make use of agricultural waste to produce industrial enzymes and second-generation ethanol as an alternative fuel source,” the institute added. </p>.<p>The three main agricultural residues are wheat bran, sago waste, and rice bran which are inexpensive and have a high potential to produce industrial enzymes. However, the complex structure of these residues makes it difficult to hydrolyze the enzymes. The pre-treatment process that is required to do the same is also costly.</p>.<p>“Thus, the researchers studied the bacteria, Bacillus sp PM06, which was isolated from sugarcane waste press mud. This bacterium helped in the production of industrial enzymes and value-added products from agricultural waste. The wheat bran was found to be the most effective substrate followed by sago waste and rice bran. In addition, this process was cost-effective and environment-friendly,” the IIT-M added.</p>
<p>Researchers of Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) have identified a bacterium that can turn agricultural waste into industrial enzymes through a cost-effective and environment-friendly process. </p>.<p>The research team studied how a bacteria called ‘Bacillus sp PM06’ can aid in producing industrial enzymes and value-added products from agricultural waste. The research comes amid a renewed interest to make use of agricultural waste to produce industrial enzymes and second-generation ethanol as an alternative fuel source. </p>.<p>The wheat bran was found to be the most effective substrate followed by sago waste and rice bran.</p>.<p>The findings of the study, conducted by Prof Sathyanarayana N Gummadi, faculty of the Department of Biotechnology, IIT-M and Rekha Rajesh, Research Scholar, IIT M, have been published in the reputed peer-reviewed journal Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery.</p>.<p>"The organism which was isolated has a fermentation capacity to hydrolyse very low-cost lignocellulosic wastes without pre-treatment, thus reducing the cost of bioprocess for production of enzymes and industrial metabolites," Prof Gummadi said.</p>.<p>He said, "The most challenging aspect of bioconversion is the development of a one-step process which includes pre-treatment, enzyme hydrolysis and microbial fermentation thus minimizing environmental impact. Many researchers are focused on isolating single microorganisms producing multiple enzymes to solve the issues."</p>.<p>“But, IIT Madras researchers are successful in isolating a novel strain from sugarcane pressmud,” the professor added. </p>.<p>"The study demonstrated simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of different agro residues by a single novel organism," IIT-M said, adding that the research is unique because it takes a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach, producing renewable biofuels.</p>.<p>The institute said the study is of great relevance as it works on the principles of biomass-based biorefineries, which offer potential benefits for energy and environmental sustainability</p>.<p>“Every year nearly 100 to 150 tonnes of biomass are produced. Recently, there is a high interest worldwide to make use of agricultural waste to produce industrial enzymes and second-generation ethanol as an alternative fuel source,” the institute added. </p>.<p>The three main agricultural residues are wheat bran, sago waste, and rice bran which are inexpensive and have a high potential to produce industrial enzymes. However, the complex structure of these residues makes it difficult to hydrolyze the enzymes. The pre-treatment process that is required to do the same is also costly.</p>.<p>“Thus, the researchers studied the bacteria, Bacillus sp PM06, which was isolated from sugarcane waste press mud. This bacterium helped in the production of industrial enzymes and value-added products from agricultural waste. The wheat bran was found to be the most effective substrate followed by sago waste and rice bran. In addition, this process was cost-effective and environment-friendly,” the IIT-M added.</p>