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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Crop Bioprotection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #206894
Title: Impact of culture nutrition on inhibitor tolerance and the conversion of high xylose concentrations to ethanol by Pichia stipitis NRRL Y-7124

Author
item Slininger, Patricia - Pat
item Liu, Zonglin
item GORSICH, STEVEN - RESIGNED 3620-35-00

Submitted to: Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/2/2007
Publication Date: 4/29/2007
Citation: Slininger, P.J., Liu, Z., Gorsich, S.W. 2007. Impact of culture nutrition on inhibitor tolerance and the conversion of high xylose concentrations to ethanol by Pichia stipitis NRRL Y-7124 [abstract]. Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals Symposium Proceedings. p. 88. Paper No. 1B-38.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Efficient fermentation processes to produce ethanol from low-cost lignocellulosic biomass are sought to support the expansion of the biofuels industry. Stress-tolerant microorganisms are needed that are able to consume both hexose and pentose sugars and withstand, survive, and function in the presence of stress factors common to fermentations of lignocellulose hydrolysates, including inhibitors such as furfural, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), and ethanol. Furfural and HMF are key byproducts of the dilute-acid hydrolysis pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass, the most economical method of releasing hemicellulosic sugars for fermentation to ethanol biofuel. Our research has shown that natural strains of the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia stipitis can survive and adapt to the presence of furfural and HMF and that this survival could be linked in part to a fully functioning pentose phosphate pathway. Data will be presented showing that mineral and nitrogen source composition had significant impact on the ability of P. stipitis to survive and detoxify furan inhibitors and to convert high xylose concentrations efficiently to ethanol. The culture age and carbon source type (whether glucose or xylose) also influenced inhibitor tolerance and nutritional needs. Implications of these findings on process-based strategies to produce a tolerant initial population and then to foster and sustain tolerance during growth and ethanol fermentation will be considered.