Co-catalysis of corncob with dilute formic acid plus solid acid SO42−/SnO2-montmorillonite under the microwave for enhancing the biosynthesis of furfuralcohol.

Abstract In this study, chemo-enzymatic synthesis of furfuralcohol (FOL) from corncob was attempted by sequential catalysis of HCOOH (1.0 wt%)-assisted solid acid SO 4 2−/SnO 2 -montmorillonite (2.0 wt%) at 180 °C for 10 min under microwave (600 W) and recombinant Escherichia coli CCZU-T15 whole-cells bioreduction for 4 h at 30 °C and pH 6.5. Furfural was obtained at 40.2% yield, and it (77.8 mM) could be completely biotransformed to FOL. Moreover, efficient biocatalyst recycling was achieved with immobilized cells. Clearly, this strategy has potential application for the effective synthesis of FOL from corncob. Highlights • Dilute HCOOH was used for assisting SO 4 2−/SnO 2 -MMT to produce furfural (FAL). • High FAL yield (40.2%) from corncob was achieved via co-catalysis under microwave. • FAL (77.8 mM) was completely coverted to furfuralcohol (FOL) under mild condition. • An efficient biocatalyst recycling was achieved with immobilized whole-cells • Effective synthesis of FOL from corncob was successfully demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]