Recyclable magnetic carboxymethyl chitosan/calcium alginate – cellulase bioconjugates for corn stalk hydrolysis

The use of cellulase hydrolysis of straw to produce fermentable sugars has many application prospects. However, cellulase is very expensive, which hampers its industrial applications. To improve cellulase’s catalytic activity and reduce the enzyme cost, magnetite carboxymethyl chitosan/calcium alginate – cellulase bioconjugate (MCCCB) was synthesized via an improved hydrothermal method, molecular self-assembly technology, physical absorption, embedding and covalent bonding. Its loading capacity was 3.95   mg/mL, and the catalytic activity increased to 267.18%. We decreased the release rate, improved the reusability, and enhanced the stability of MCCCB. Corn stalk hydrolysis also greatly improved, and the overall yield of fermentable sugars increased by 698.26%. All of these results indicate that MCCCB could significantly improve the efficiency of cellulase, greatly reduce the cost of enzyme, and effectively promote the production of fermentable sugars.