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ARS Home » Plains Area » Manhattan, Kansas » Center for Grain and Animal Health Research » Grain Quality and Structure Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #147618
Title: ETHANOL AND LACTIC ACID PRODUCTION FROM GRAIN SORGHUM

Author
item ZHAN, X - KANSAS STATE UNIV
item WANG, D - KANSAS STATE UNIV
item Bean, Scott
item TUINSTRA, M - KANSAS STATE UNIV

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/20/2003
Publication Date: 9/28/2003
Citation: Zhan, X., Wang, D., Bean, S., Tuinstra, M.R. 2003. Ethanol and lactic acid production from grain sorghum. Abstract No. 330 in: 2003 AACC Annual Meeting Program Book. p.138. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary: Abstract for the AACC Annual Meeting to be held September 28 - October 2, 2003, in Portland, OR

Technical Abstract: The increasing global economy can not be reliant on finite reserves of fossil fuels. Thus, renewable resource, such as grain sorghum, could support sustainable economic growth. Sorghum is a tropical grass grown primarily in semiarid and dry parts of the world, especially in areas too dry for maize. Grain sorghum has the similar starch content as corn. However, grain sorghum has been underused for industrial applications. The objectives of this research were (1) to improve ethanol and lactic acid production by optimization of sorghum varieties and (2) to study the effect of chemical composition and growth environment on ethanol and lactic acid production. Eight sorghum varieties from two locations were used. Results showed that both sorghum genotype and environment had a significant effect on ethanol and lactic acid yields. Variations of 5% and 15% in ethanol and lactic acid yields were observed among the 16 sorghum samples. The effect of environment on the fermentation yields was as much as 5% and 10% for ethanol and lactic acid, respectively. Chemical composition and physical properties of grain sorghum had a significant effect on ethanol and lactic acid production. Starch content had a positive effect on ethanol and lactic acid yields, while protein content had a negative effect on final product yields.