Lignocellulose is the most abundant biomass available on earth, including wood and agricultural wastes such as rice straw, corn cobs, and oil palm empty bunches. The biopolymer content in lignocellulose has a great potential as feedstock for producing industrial raw materials such as glucose, sorbitol, xylose, xylitol, and other pharmaceutical excipients. Currently, scientists and governments agree that the enzymatic delignification method is an environmentally friendly green method to be applied. This review attempts to explain the proper preparation of the enzymes laccase, lignin peroxidase, and manganese peroxidase, as well as the important factors influencing their activity. The recent applications of the enzymes for detoxification of hazardous substances, proper enzyme immobilization technique, and future prospect combination with DESs extraction of lignin are also discussed.

Pluchea indica (L.) Less. leaf has a long history of being used as a food and in traditional medicines. Although gamma irradiation is an effective decontamination method, it must be performed appropriately to preserve the bioactive constituents and biological activities of the plant. This study investigated the influence of gamma irradiation on the caffeoylquinic acid derivatives content, antioxidant capacity, and microbial burden of P. indica leaf. Dried P. indica leaf powder was exposed to gamma rays from cobalt-60 at the absorbed doses of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 kGy. After a maceration of P. indica leaf with 70% ethanol, the content of six caffeoylquinic acid derivatives (CQAs) in the extract was assayed using high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant capacity of the ethanolic extract was also determined using the DPPH, ABTS, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. The total aerobic bacteria and total yeast and mold counts were investigated using the Petrifilm method at 0 and 3 months after irradiation. Doses of 5-10 kGy significantly increased the CQA level (P < 0.05). The antioxidant activity was enhanced significantly at 2.5-10 kGy (P < 0.05). Doses of 2.5-10 kGy also effectively reduced the microbial load (P < 0.05). Among the irradiation doses, 10 kGy showed the best results. Thus, gamma irradiation at 10 kGy is useful in increasing CQA content and antioxidant capacity as well as reducing the microbial load of P. indica leaf.

Objective: This study aimed to find the optimum kojic acid fermentation conditions using combination cultures of Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillustamarii.Methods: Screening of the best mixed cultures was performed using yeast extract medium with 5% (w/v) glucose. Fermentation conditionswere optimized by varying carbon and nitrogen sources, pH of medium, inoculum ratio, and aeration. Aeration was varied using 50 and 100 mLof medium in 100 and 250 mL Erlenmeyer flasks, respectively. Kojic acid was analyzed using thin-layer chromatography-densitometry and UV-Visspectrophotometry.Results: Kojic acid produced from mixed cultures yielded 0.1396 gg−1, while sole cultures of A. oryzae and A. tamarii yielded 0.0329 gg−1 and0.1001 gg−1, respectively. Of the nine fermentation mediums, the best carbon and nitrogen sources were sucrose and yeast extract. From the threevariations of pH, pH 3.5 was the optimum pH value. From the three ratios of inoculum concentration, a ratio of 2:3 (A. oryzae:A. tamarii) was the bestratio. Aeration was varied using 50 and 100 mL of medium in 100 and 250 mL Erlenmeyer flasks, respectively. Aeration of 100 mL medium in 250 mLErlenmeyer flask was selected as the best aeration that produced 6.559 g/L kojic acid.Conclusion: The highest concentration of kojic acid was obtained by mixing cultures of A. oryzae and A. tamarii in a ratio of 2:3, using sucrose andyeast extract as the substrates at pH 3.5 and semiaerobic condition.

Objective: This study aimed to increase the yield of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) from kapok pericarpium alpha-cellulose produced by enzymatic hydrolysis using purified cellulase from Termites (Macrotermes gilvus) and to compare the characteristics with the reference product. Methods: In this research, MCC was prepared from kapok pericarpium powder through the chemical isolation process of alpha-cellulose, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis with purified cellulase from Macrotermes gilvus. The yield was improved by using purified cellulase in optimized temperature, pH, and hydrolysis time. Identification was carried out by using ZnCl and infrared spectrophotometry, followed by characterization of MCC include particle size analysis (PSA) and diffracto­gram pattern (X-Ray Diffraction). The results were compared with Avicel PH 101 as the reference product. Results: Purified cellulase from Macrotermes gilvus showed high cellulose activity. Cellulose in the concentration of 11.743 U/ml formed 49 mm clear zone area with cellulolytic index 7.16 that similar to the formed clear zone area of Trichoderma reesei (50 mm), the optimum hydrolysis condition was achieved at 50 °C, pH 6.0, in 2 h, which produced 80% yield of MCC. Produced MCC was analyzed with ZnCl and FTIR spectrum resulting in positive results, similar to reference. The results of the organoleptic test, particle size analysis, and diffracto­gram pattern (X-Ray Diffraction) showed crystalline characteristics of MCC is similar to the reference (Avicel PH 101). Conclusion: Cellulase Macrotermes gilvus yielded 80% MCC and higher enzymatic activity than Trichoderma reesei. Based on the organoleptic test, particle size analysis, and diffracto­gram pattern observation, MCC from kapok pericarpium has shown similar characteristics to reference (Avicel pH 101) and might be potential to be further developed.

Objective: This study aimed to obtain sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) from α-cellulose of the hulls of kapok (Ceiba pentandra) anddetermining its identity and characteristics base on compendial requirements and compared to the reference (standard).Methods: α-Cellulose was isolated from kapok hulls and used to generate NaCMC powder through alkalization and carboxymethylation. Alkalizationwas performed using 25% NaOH (containing sodium tetraborate), whereas carboxymethylation was using sodium monochloroacetate. Identificationand characterization were performed through infrared spectrum analysis using Fourier transform infrared, qualitative analysis, organolepticexamination, morphologic examination, and topographical analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction. Tests conductedwere pH determination, sulfated ash content, moisture content, loss on drying, particle density, and viscosity.Results: The obtained NaCMC powder was yellowish-white with a similar infrared spectrum as the NaCMC standard. The powder had a degreeof substitution of 0.57 and a pH of 8.5. According to SEM, the obtained powder had a similar morphology as the NaCMC standard, although thesynthesized NaCMC had a rougher surface. The obtained NaCMC also had a similar diffractogram as the NaCMC standard, which was characterizedby the presence of crystalline and amorphous structures. Besides, the NaCMC powder had a similar moisture content (8.50%), sulfated ash content(36.43%), and loss on drying (9.87%) as the standard, whereas its 1% viscosity value (20.6 cP) was substantially different.Conclusion: NaCMC generated from α-cellulose of kapok hulls fulfills compendial requirements and has similar characteristics to reference.

Objective: This study aimed to increase the yield of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) made from water hyacinth ɑ-cellulose by enzymatic hydrolysis by using purified enzyme and to find it’s characteristics compared to the reference. Methods: In this research, MCC was prepared from water hyacinth powder through the chemical isolation process of ɑ-cellulose, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis with purified cellulase from Chaetomium globosum. The yield of MCC was improved by using purified enzyme and optimization of temperature, pH, and hydrolysis time. Identification was carried out by using ZnCl and infrared spectrophotometry, followed by characterization of MCC include particle size analysis (PSA) and diffracto­gram pattern (X-Ray Diffraction) compared to reference Avicel PH 101. Results: Purified enzyme from Chaetomium globosum has high activity with a clear zone area of 45 mm with cellulolytic index 6.5 that almost same as Trichoderma reesei (50 mm), with the cellulase enzyme activity of 6.691 U/ml. The optimum condition was at a temperature of 50⁰C and pH 6.0 with the hydrolysis time of 2 h, which produced 95% yield of MCC. Identification with ZnCl and FTIR spectrum showed positive results, similar to the reference. The results of organoleptic test, particle size analysis, and diffracto­gram pattern (X-Ray Diffraction) showed crystalline characteristic similar to reference (Avicel PH 101). Conclusion: Enzyme from Chaetomium globosum has a higher activity of cellulase than Trichoderma reesei with MCC obtained was 95%. Based on the comparison of the organoleptic test, particle size analysis, and diffracto­gram pattern, MCC from water hyacinth has a great potential which showed similar characteristic to reference (Avicel pH 101).