The liquid fraction from hydrothermal pretreatment of wheat straw provides lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases with both electrons and H(2)O(2) co-substrate.

BACKGROUND: Enzyme-aided valorization of lignocellulose represents a green and sustainable alternative to the traditional chemical industry. The recently discovered lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are important components of the state-of-the art enzyme cocktails for cellulose conversion. Yet, these monocopper enzymes are poorly characterized in terms of their kinetics, as exemplified by the growing evidence for that H(2)O(2) may be a more efficient co-substrate for LPMOs than O(2). LPMOs need external electron donors and one key question of relevance for bioprocess development is whether the required reducing power may be provided by the lignocellulosic substrate. RESULTS: Here, we show that the liquid fraction (LF) resulting from hydrothermal pretreatment of wheat straw supports LPMO activity on both chitin and cellulose. The initial, transient activity burst of the LPMO reaction was caused by the H(2)O(2) present in the LF before addition of LPMO, while the steady-state rate of LPMO reaction was limited by the LPMO-independent production of H(2)O(2) in the LF. H(2)O(2) is an intermediate of LF oxidation as evidenced by a slow H(2)O(2) accumulation in LF, despite high H(2)O(2) production rates. This H(2)O(2) scavenging ability of LF is important since high concentrations of H(2)O(2) may lead to irreversible inactivation of LPMOs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the growing understanding that fine-tuned control over the rates of H(2)O(2) production and consumption in different, enzymatic and non-enzymatic reactions is essential for harnessing the full catalytic potential of LPMOs in lignocellulose valorization.