Prediction of glucomannan contents by microscopic infrared spectroscopy for better saccharification

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06167
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 40020:Wood science-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Horikawa Yoshiki 東京農工大学, (連合)農学研究科(研究院), 准教授 (90637711)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 赤外分光法 / ヘミセルロース / グルコマンナン / 細胞壁

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The objective of this study was to establish a simple and rapid method for the evaluation of glucomannan, the major hemicellulose in softwood, by infrared spectroscopy equipped with microscopy. Glucomannan and nanofibers from cedar or bacterial cellulose prepared were used as model samples, mixed in appropriate proportions, and spectra were collected using an infrared spectrometer, and absorbance was calculated. As a result, a highly accurate calibration model was successfully constructed. The achievement of the evaluation using the calibration model for actual biomass samples such as softwoods showed that the prediction could be done with high accuracy. It was also found that the factor analysis toward highly efficient saccharification was also effective for samples with inhibition of enzymatic hydrolysis by infrared spectroscopic analysis.

Free Research Field

木質科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

時間も労力も消耗する化学成分分析で評価するのが一般的であったヘミセルロースの一種であるグルコマンナンを迅速・簡便に赤外分光分析で評価することが可能となった成果は学術的意義が極めて高い。特に顕微システムを組み込むことによって組織・細胞レベルでの情報が得られるため、前処理条件の最適化や酵素阻害の解消に向けた方策にも期待できる。したがって本研究成果はさらなるバイオマス利用に向けた発展に大きく貢献できるため社会的意義も非常に高い。