Application of ligninolytic bacteria to the enhancement of lignocellulose breakdown and methane production from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB)

Efficient pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass is needed to reduce associated energy costs. Lignin-degrading bacteria ( Comamonas testosteroni, Agrobacterium sp. , Lysinibacillus sphaericus, and Paenibacillus sp.) were tested as potential pre-treatment methods for oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) enhance its methane yield during anaerobic digestion (AD). The lignocellulose fractions analysed total reducing sugar (TRS), soluble phenols (TSP), lignin content, weight loss, pH microscopic analysis carried out both before after treatment. production was using the biochemical (BMP) test. Bacteria mediated depolymerisation OPEFB confirmed through observation increased release TSP breakdown loss cultured biomass. highest percentage (25.84%) obtained from treated by sphaericus while average specific (0.042 m 3 /kg VS) treatment with testosteroni. • Bacterial degraders can production. degrading makes viable use in anerobic digestion. mechanism how requires further elucidation.