초록
<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P><B>BACKGROUND</B></P><P>Enzymatic <I>in situ</I> saccharification of lignocellulose in ionic liquids (ILs) has become a hot topic of research, but is hampered by the incompatibility of ILs with cellulase. The aim of this present work was to improve IL tolerance of the cellulase from <I>Trichoderma aureoviride</I> strain HS through an efficient encapsulation method, and thus to develop a compatible IL–cellulase system for biorefining.</P><P><B>RESULTS</B></P><P>The cellulase was encapsulated in alginate beads and its stability was greatly enhanced in various concentrations of 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium dimethylphosphate ([Emim][DMP]). The encapsulated cellulase preserved 76% of the original activity in 40% (v/v) [Emim][DMP] for 12 h, whereas free cellulase lost nearly 95% activity. After treating rice straw with [Emim][DMP] at 100 °C and dilution to a final IL concentration of 40% (v/v), the pretreatment slurry was <I>in situ</I> hydrolyzed using encapsulated cellulase. Under the one‐pot process, a maximum saccharification rate of 84% was obtained, increased by 65% compared with that in buffer based on free cellulase.</P><P><B>CONCLUSION</B></P><P>The hydrophilic alginate hydrogel protected the hydration shell of cellulase well against destruction by [Emim][DMP]. The feasibility of hydrolysis reaction in aqueous‐IL media using encapsulated cellulase was demonstrated, thus developing a one‐pot, wash‐free scheme for saccharification of lignocellulose. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry</P>