Enzymatic saccharification of Typha domingensis biomass: optimization and structural analysis

Halophytic plants have been recognized as a promising source of lignocellulosic biomass for bioconversion into value added products. In this study, cellulosic content of wild biomass from Typha domingensis was saccharified by cellulase from a thermophilic bacterium, Neobacillus sedimentimangrovi UE25. Indeed, this is the first report describing the use of enzymatic saccharification of T. domingensis biomass. Initially, the N. sedimentimangrovi UE25 cellulase was produced in the medium containing wild biomass from the halophyte plant. The data revealed that 159.84 IU mL^{- 1} endoglucanase was obtained when T. domingensis biomass was used as a substrate. The result of saccharification showed that 172 mg g^{- 1} reducing sugars were obtained when cellulosic content of T. domingensis biomass was saccharified by cellulase. The effect of temperature, cellulase units and incubation time on saccharification was determined by using a statistical tool, Central Composite design. Under optimized conditions of 14.6 endoglucanase units per g of substrate, temperature 60 °C and reaction time 13.4 h, 610.65 mg g^{- 1} reducing sugars were obtained after the saccharification of cellulose from T. domingensis biomass. Moreover, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and Scanning Electron microscopy affirmed structural changes in the substrate. These findings demonstrate that biomass from halophyte such as T. domingensis can serve as an efficient substrate for thermostable cellulase production and saccharification, contributing to sustainable bioresource utilization in saline environments.