AGRE-0063 High Temperature Ethanol Fermentation of Lignocellulosic Waste

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Biological Conversion : Biotechnology : ECLAIR Cluster II - Lignocellulose : Liquid Biofuels and Biogas : Process Engineering : Straw : Wood (Lignocellulose)

AGRE-0063 High Temperature Ethanol Fermentation of Lignocellulosic Waste 1 July 1992 - 30 June 1993

The cost of raw materials continues to be a limiting factor in the production of bioethanol (fuel alcohol) from traditional raw materials (such as sugar and starch) which can be used as substrate for yeast-based processes. At the same time, there are large amounts of agricultural residues (such as straw) as well as agro-industrial process waste streams (such as from production of maize syrups) and liquors (from wood pulping) that are of low or negative (due to costs of current effluent disposal methods) value. Many of these possible substrates contain sugars (five-carbon) which are not fermented by conventional yeast. In many cases, the major sugar available is xylose. A number of different approaches have been taken to solve the problems (inhibition, by-product formation, low product concentrations) associated with xylose fermentation. These include genetic engineering to modify the metabolism of bacteria or common yeast and screening of organisms capable of using five carbon sugars. One such organism is Bacillus stearothermophilus which uses a wide range of sugars at temperatures of up to 75°C. A mutant strain of this (strain LLD-R) has been investigated in detail and whilst some limitations in terms of microbiology were encountered, results have led to the establishment of the company Agrol Ltd (UK) to develop and exploit the technology.

Contacts

Coordinator

• Prof B S Hartley / Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine / UNITED KINGDOM