Optimization of enzymatic hydrolysis of steam-exploded corn stover by two approaches: Response surface methodology or using cellulase from mixed cultures of Trichoderma reesei RUT-C30 and Aspergillus niger NL02

To optimize enzymatic hydrolysis of steam-exploded corn stover (SECS), two approaches, response surface methodology (RSM) and utilization of the cellulase from mixed cultures of Trichoderma reesei RUT-C30 and Aspergillus niger NL02, were introduced in this work. The RSM, the first approach, was consisted of Plackett–Burman Design (PBD) and Central Composite Design (CCD). After the optimization of RSM, a model was proposed to predict the optimum value 79.6% confirmed by the experimental result 80.1%. Mixed culture of T. reesei and A. niger was found to be an effective method to enhance cellulolytic enzymes production. Using the cellulase from mixed culture to optimize enzymatic hydrolysis was the second approach. The yield of 85.6% was obtained by the second approach using 25 IU/g glucan cellulase. The two approaches were compared and it was found that the second approach was a better one with higher hydrolysis yield and less enzyme dosage.