Comparative identification of characteristics of efficient degradation strains for crude fibre in distillery spent grains
摘要
This study demonstrated that Bacillus velezensis exhibited significantly superior degradation of the crude fibre in spent grain compared to most strains, with a degradation efficiency of 17.60%. Compared to Aspergillus niger (crude fibre degradation rate of 0.12%), B. velezensis showed higher filter paper enzyme, xylanase and peroxidase activity, which are crucial for degrading crude fibres. The potent lignocellulose-degrading action of B. velezensis was confirmed by FTIR, XRD and SEM analyses, which indicated decreased lignin and cellulose chemical bonds and increased crystallinity. Additionally, metabolomics analysis revealed that, compared to A. niger, B. velezensis produced a substantial amount of substances associated with crude fibre degradation during its metabolic processes, such as organic acids and vanillin. These metabolites may have further promoted microbial growth and the synthesis of crude fibre–degrading enzymes, accelerating the degradation of crude fibres through pathways like lowering the environmental pH. Overall, B. velezensis exhibited significant crude fibre degradation capability and potential for industrial applications, with this study enhancing understanding of its efficient degradation process.