In 2012, JBEI researchers, including Blake Simmons, a co-author on this new study, had discovered a suite of saccharification enzymes that were tolerant to ionic liquids. (sciencedaily.com)
The pre-treatments make the complex carbohydrates more accessible to enzymes that convert them to glucose, in a process called saccharification. (sciencedaily.com)
Saccharification efficiency is also associated with the loss of specific sugars, and subsequent formation of sugar breakdown products. (sciencedaily.com)