Kamyar Mogodiniyai Kasmaei

Research Interests

Lignocellulosic biomass is a renewable, inexpensive and inedible carbon resource that can be used both as animal feed and as feedstock for production of biofuels/biochemicals. The biomass comprises mainly three structural polymers, namely cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin. These polymers, collectively referred to as fibre, are highly interconnected in plant cell walls, forming a matrix resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis. My primary research interest is to harness the power of fibrolytic microorganisms to enhance utilization of lignocellulosic biomass in animal feeding and/or biorefineries. I do both basic and applied research to address this purpose. The methodologies I use include metagenomics, microbiology, laboratory-scale ensiling trials, etc. I have currently joint the group of professor Christina Divne at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden to carry out biochemical/structural characterization of feruloyl esterase of Lactobacillus species. This class of enzyme has a great significance in improving utilization of lignocellulosic biomass.       

Research goal

To improve bioavailability of cellulose and hemicelluloses in plant fibres to enhance utilization of lignocellulosic biomass

Societal values of research

Production of food and energy in sustainable and environmentally friendly manners are some of the major concerns of our society. In this regard, lignocellulosic biomass is considered an important resource. However, the biomass has generally a low utilization efficiency. Currently, a number of energy intensive and/or unsustainable pre-treatments are used to improve biorefinery potential of lignocellulosic biomass. it appears that there is a need to evaluate pre-treatment strategies with lower environmental impacts. In addition, share of lignocellulosic biomass in animal feeding can significantly be improved. With my research, I aim to contribute to addressing these concerns.

Financing

My current four-year postdoctoral project, started from 2017, is financed by the Swedish Research Council Formas under the category of mobility grants for early-career researchers.

Lecturing on plant fibres, ways to improve fibre digestibility as well as forage storage/preservation. Supervision of MSc degree projects

On-going projects:

Mogodiniyai Kasmaei K, Sundh J. 2019. Identification of Novel Putative Bacterial Feruloyl Esterases From Anaerobic Ecosystems by Use of Whole-Genome Shotgun Metagenomics and Genome Binning. Frontiers in Microbiology, 10:2673

Mogodiniyai Kasmaei K, Schlosser D, Sträuber H, Kleinsteuber S. 2019. Short communication:  Does glucose affect the de-esterification of methyl ferulate by Lactobacillus buchneri? MicrobiologyOpen, doi:10.1002/mbo3.971

Mogodiniyai Kasmaei K, Dicksved J, Spörndly R, Udén P. 2016. Separating the effects of forage source and field microbiota on silage fermentation quality and aerobic stability. Grass and Forage Science, 72:281–289

Mogodiniyai Kasmaei K, Passoth V, Spörndly R, Udén P. 2015. A new sterilization and inoculation method in silage research. Grass and Forage Science, 70: 668-673

Mogodiniyai Kasmaei K, Spörndly R, Udén P. 2013. Research Note: A sterilization technique with application to silage research and inoculant evaluation. Grass and Forage Science, 69:724-728

Mogodiniyai Kasmaei K, Rustas B-O, Spörndly R, Udén P. 2013. Prediction models of silage fermentation products on crop composition under strict anaerobic conditions: A meta-analysis. Journal of Dairy Science, 96:6644-6649

Mogodiniyai Kasmaei K, Holtenius K. 2013. Short communication: Phosphorus net absorption in dairy cows subjected to abomasal infusion of inorganic phosphorus – a pilot study. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 97:599-603