Method for solubilization of low-rank coal using a cell-free enzymatic system
AssigneeElectric Power Research Institute, Inc.
InventorsJohn Pyne, Jr., Dorothy L. Stewart, James K. Fredrickson, Martin S. Cohen
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Abstract
A method is provided for isolating an extracellular product from white rot fungi. The extracellular product is useful for biosolubilizing low-rank coals to form water-soluble products.
Claims7
A method of isolating an extracellular product derived from a culture of white rot fungi comprising the steps of fermenting the culture of said fungi in a nutrient medium for a period of time sufficient to form extracellular fluid, separating the cells from said medium and filtering the resulting cell-free medium through a filtration means having a molecular weight cutoff of at least 10,000 molecular weight;
- subjecting the retentate of molecular weight greater than 10,000 to chromatographic separation to isolate a low-rank coal-degrading active fraction.
A method of degrading solid low-ranked coal to a water-soluble material by enzymatic action comprising the step of contacting said low-ranked coal with a cell-free extracellular material derived from fermentation of white rot fungi characterized by low-rank coal-degrading activity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.