An Anaerobic Bacterial Treatment of Corn Stover to Prepare a Biorefining Feedstock

James MacLellan, Zhengbo Yue, Robert Kraemer, Wei Liao*

Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan 48823

Abstract

The objective of this study is to apply an anaerobic bacterial consortium to uptake the hemicellulose in corn stover to prepare a relatively cellulose-enriched feedstock for biofuel production. Previous research demonstrated that submerged anaerobic bacterial culture is capable of converting hemicellulose in raw lignocelluloses to methane gas. The in-depth study is needed to optimize the culture, enhance the hemicellulose utilization efficiency, and improve the quality of treated cellulose as a biorefining feedstock. An anaerobic bacterial consortium from animal manure will be screened and enriched as the seed for this study. Two feedstocks of raw corn stover and steam-treated corn stover will be used to compare the effects of structure on the anaerobic culture of hemicellulose uptake. A completely Randomized Design (CRD) on seed-to-feedstock ratio, culture temperature, and culture time will be carried out. Fiber composition, methane production, and microbial consortia will also be analyzed. An optimal condition can then be established based on the quality and quantity of cellulose in the treated corn stover. The ethanol production on the treated corn stover will be fulfilled in order to elucidate the effects of anaerobic bacterial treatment on biofuels production.

*: Corresponding author

Dr. Wei Liao

Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering

Michigan State University

202 A.W. Farrall Hall

East Lansing, MI 48824-1323

Tel: 517-432-7205

Fax: 517-432-2892

E-mail: liaow@msu.edu