Investigating Fungal Degradation of Switchgrass In a Controlled Storage Environment
2015 USDA-NIFA Integrated Award
Principal Investigators and affiliations: PI: Dr. Mark Wilkins (Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University) Co-PI: Dr. Danielle Julie Carrier (University of Arkansas) Co-PI: Dr. Michael Buser (Oklahoma State University) Co-PI: Dr. Stephen Marek (Oklahoma State University) Funded: $110,000 Start Date: 3/01/2015
End Date: 08/31/2016
Expected Outcomes
This project seeks to develop conditions and protocols to successfully utilize P. ostreatus fungal pretreatment during storage of switchgrass in square bales.
The following are the expected outcomes:
Reduced pretreatment severity and energy use while achieving fermentable sugar yields similar to those achieved in previous studies using conventional thermochemical pretreatment methods
Reduced production of inhibitory compounds compared to previous studies using conventional thermochemical pretreatment methods
Development of operating parameters and techniques to apply fungal pretreatment during switchgrass storage in a biorefinery setting.
