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Alcohol production from molasses: selection of efficient yeast strains. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5509402
Sixteen yeast strains were procured from commercial and private culture collections to evaluate their relative ability to efficiently ferment blackstrap molasses from the Puunene factory of the Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company. In addition, the effects on ethanol production and yeast multiplication of heat treatment of molasses and the addition of nitrogen or phosphorus to the molasses were tested. Three derivatives of yeast strain ATCC 4132 were capable of producing at least 93% of the theoretical yield of ethanol from the sugar in Hawaiian molasses. Yeast strains tested were considered to be highly tolerant to ethanol and all were capable of efficient glucose utilization at a pH of 3.5. Growth rates and yield constants were normal for the species of yeast being tested. Ethanol production of the yeasts tested was maximum when the glucose concentration was 18%. Heat treatment of the molasses had no effect on yield of ethanol or growth of yeast. The addition of nitrogen or phosphorus to the molasses medium had no effect on ethanol production or yeast multiplication.
Research Organization:
Hawaii Univ., Manoa (USA). Hawaii Natural Energy Inst.
OSTI ID:
5509402
Report Number(s):
HNEI-79-04
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English