Impact of loosenins on the enzymatic preparation of cellulose nanocrystals

Whereas the enzymatic deconstruction of lignocellulosic materials is well established, comparatively few studies investigate the application of enzymes in bio-based material manufacturing. In this study, we demonstrate the potential of an ancestral endoglucanase from Bacillus subtilis (LFCA_EG) together with a loosenin from the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete carnosa (PcaLOOL12) to produce cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) with smaller size and higher yield than CNCs prepared using LFCA_EG alone. Moreover, CNCs prepared using both LFCA_EG and PcaLOOL12 retained the chemical purity, crystallinity, and thermal stability of previously described enzymatically prepared CNCs, and could be used to exfoliate graphite to generate low resistance, graphene-based conductive inks. Accordingly, this study highlights the potential of loosenins such as PcaLOOL12 to not only enhance the enzymatic deconstruction of lignocellulose but also the preparation of value-added cellulosic materials.