Selection of inoculum size and <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> strain for ethanol production in simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of sugar cane bagasse

Abstract

The aim of this work was to select an inoculum concentration and a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain for ethanol production in the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of sugar cane bagasse. Three concentrations of inoculum (0.4, 4.0 and 8.0 g/L) and two strains of S. cerevisiae (UFPEDA 1238 and UFPEDA 1334) were used to ferment a culture medium containing glucose as the carbon source (100 g/L). Ethanol production was lower with 0.4 g/L inoculum, independent of the strain used. Experiments with 4.0 and 8.0 g/L inoculum showed no growth and higher ethanol production. Maximum ethanol concentration was obtained with UFPEDA 1238 and 8.0 g/L inoculum concentration. These conditions were selected for ethanol production from sugar cane bagasse in SSF. Maximum ethanol concentration was attained with SSF (28 g/L), enzymatic convertibility of cellulose (76%) and volumetric productivity (0.93 g/L h).

Keywords: Ethanol, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, inoculum, efficiency.

African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(27) 2762-2765