Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Μικροβιακή ΒιοτεχνολογίαLibrary of the School of Science
Author:
Gklekas Panagiotis
Supervisors info:
Δημήτρης Γ. Χατζηνικολάου, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Βιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Microbial diversity studies in thermal spring fields with respect to plant biomass hydrolysis
Translated title:
Microbial diversity studies in thermal spring fields with respect to plant biomass hydrolysis
Summary:
The present thesis represents the first approach on the evaluation of the aerobic functional microbial diversity, in a unique Greek thermophilic environment near Edipsos area, Evia island, Greece. Degradation of lignocellulosic agro-industrial residues by means of complex microbial community is a promising approach providing efficient biomass
decomposition for subsequent conversion to value-added products. In this study, an active thermophilic lignocellulose degrading microbial consortium was bred from high-temperature, lignocellulosic soil samples by successive subcultivation under aerobic
conditions. The microbial consortium showed efficient degradation activity on potential
biorefinery cellulosic substrates, including alkali pre-treated corn stover and phosphoric
acid swollen cellulose. The consortium was structurally stable with the co-existence of two major microbes, comprising aerobic bacterial genera Rhodothermus and Geobacillus , along with anaerobic and uncultured bacteria. Majority of the lignocellulolytic activities
including endo-glucanase, xylanase and -glucanase was present in the crude culture
supernatant. This work presents the first report on analysis of the complex structurally
stable lignocellulose degrading microbial consortium together with the characterization of its lignocellulolytic enzyme system applicable for biomass degradation and conversion in biotechnological industry
Main subject category:
Science
Keywords:
hotsprings, thermal springs, cellulases, hemicellulases, Geobacillus, Rhodothermus, enrichment cultures, biomass degradation