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Title: Ethanol production by immobilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces uvarum, and Zymomonas mobilis

Journal Article · · Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States)

Saccharomyces cerevisiae NRRL Y-2034, Saccharomyces uvarum NRRL Y-1347, and Zymomonas mobilis NRRL B-806 each were separately immobilized in a Ca-alginate matrix and incubated in the presence of a free-flowing and continuous 1,3,5, 10, or 20% (w/w) glucose solution. In general, the yeast cells converted 100% of the 1,3, and 5% glucose to alcohol within 48 h and maintained such a conversion rate for at least two weeks. The bacterium converted ca. 90% (w/w) of the 1,3, and 5% glucose to alcohol continuously for one week. However, both the yeast and bacterium were inhibited in the highest glucose (20% w/w) solution. All of the immobilized cultures produced some alcohol for at least 14 days. Immobilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae was the best alcohol producer of all of the glucose concentrations; the yeast yielded 4.7 g ethanol/100 g solution within 72 h in the 10% glucose solution. After 7-8 days in the 10% solution, Saccharomyces cerevisiae produced ethanol at 100% of theoretical yield (5.0 g ethanol/100g solution), with a gradual decrease in alcohol production by 14 days. Immobilized Saccharomyces uvarum produced a maximum of 4.0 g ethanol/100 g solution within 2 days and then declined to ca. 1.0 g ethanol/100g solution after 7 days continuous fermentation in the 10% glucose solution. Zymomonas mobilis reached its maximum ethanol production at 4 days (4.7 g/100 g solution), and then diminished similarly to Saccharomyces uvarum. The development of a multiple disk shaft eliminated the problem both of uneven distribution of alginate-encapsulated cells and of glucose channeling within the continuous-flow fermentor column. This invention improved alcohol production about threefold for the yeast cells. (Refs. 13).

Research Organization:
Northern Regional Research Center; Agricultural Research Science and Education Administration, US Dept of Agriculture, Peoria IL 61604
OSTI ID:
7013119
Journal Information:
Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States), Vol. 24:5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English