Simplified process for preparation of schizophyllan solutions for biomaterial applications

ABSTRACT

Schizophyllan is a biopolymer commercially produced for pharmaceutical and cosmetics uses. However, schizophyllan also has potential biomaterial applications. Schizophyllan is conventionally produced from glucose and recovered by diafiltration and ultrafiltration to produce a highly purified product. Here we demonstrate a simplified process for preparation of schizophyllan solutions for biomaterial applications. Schizophyllan was produced in 1.5-L bioreactors from distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), an abundant coproduct of dry grind fuel ethanol production. Downstream processing eliminated filtration and concentration steps, providing solutions containing 4.2 ± 0.3 g schizophyllan/L. Solutions contained high-molecular-weight schizophyllan and exhibited viscosity properties similar to those of commercial schizophyllan. Schizophyllan solutions showed promise as a component of biolubricants in friction and wear tests and by dynamic surface and interfacial tension measurements.

KEYWORDS:

• Coefficient of friction
• distiller’s dried grains with solubles
• downstream processing
• schizophyllan
• surface tension
• viscosity

Acknowledgments

Expert technical assistance was provided by April Stanley, Eric Hoecker, Erika Hertenstein, Suzanne Unser, Linda Cao, and Andrew J. Thomas. The authors sincerely thank Rick Haig for molecular weight determinations.

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