초록
<P><B>Highlights</B></P><P>► Identified natural grass (<I>Sehima nervosum</I>) as a raw material for xylooligosaccharides production. ► Able to maximize (98% of original xylan) xylan yield from natural grass by 12% NaOH coupled with steam application. ► Optimize the conditions for enzymatic production of xylooligosaccharides from the grass. ► Generates first report on xylooligosaccharides production from natural grass.</P> <P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>In this study, a process for producing XOS from <I>Sehima nervosum</I> grass was developed. The grass contains 28.1% hemicellulose. NaOH and steam application yielded 98% of original xylan in contrast to 85% by KOH application. Hydrolysis of xylan with commercial xylanase caused breakdown into XOS comprising of xylobiose, xylotriose along with xylose. Response surface model (RSM) revealed highest xylobiose yield (11g/100g xylan) at pH 5.03, temperature 45.19°C, reaction time 10.11h with enzyme dose 17.41U. Similarly for maximizing xylotriose yield, ideal hydrolysis conditions were pH 5.11, temperature 40.33°C, reaction time 16.55h with enzyme dose 13.20U. A two step process encompassing xylan fractionation and enzymatic hydrolysis enabled XOS production from the <I>S. nervosum</I> grass.</P>