VALUABLE Hydrolysate of biomass material (1st draft)

Following literature studies, collection of two different preparations of A. niger biomass from collaborator Jungbunzlauer, dialogues with multiple enzyme producers, collection of relevant enzymes and establishment of required analytical methods, the preferred A. niger feedstock type (dry biomass) has been identified and a protocol has been developed to enzymatically hydrolyse this feedstock, to produce a hydrolysate and a chitin-rich insoluble residue. The currently best protocol has been scaled to 0.1 kg scale and hydrolysates have been sent to partner TUM for use in Tasks 3.1 & 3.2. The currently optimal process solubilizes approximately 60-70 % of the biomass, which is close to, but not yet at, the expected maximally attainable level. Further optimization and scaling are ongoing, as described in Tasks 2.2-2.4, heading towards Deliverables D2.2 & 2.3. Most encouragingly, preliminary experiments indicate that the remaining solid fraction, i.e., “enzymatically produced chitin” is indeed a good source of chitin and can be converted to chitosan of good quality.