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Title: ETHANOL PRODUCTION FROM HEMICELLULOSE HYDROLYSATES OF AGRICULTURAL RESIDUESUSING GENETICALLY ENGINEERED ESCHERICHIA COLI STRAIN K011

Author
item ASGHARI, A - BIOENERGY INTL
item Bothast, Rodney
item DORAN, J - UNIV OF FLORIDA
item INGRAM, LONNIE - UNIV OF FLORIDA

Submitted to: Journal of Industrial Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/28/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Agricultural residues, particularly corn hulls and fiber, are available in sufficient quantities from the corn wet milling industry to serve as a low cost feedstock for production of fuel alcohol. Various chemical, physical, and biological treatments are commonly used in the bioconversion of agricultural biomass to fermentable sugars. In this study, we determined that (1) a genetically engineered bacterium can efficiently convert mixed sugars derived from acid treatment of bagasse, corn stover, and corn hulls plus fiber to ethanol and (2) inexpensive materials such as a crude yeast product and corn steep liquor can be used as nutrients for this fermenting organism. Commercial application of this technology will allow for increased fuel alcohol production from corn at a lower cost.

Technical Abstract: Hemicellulose hydrolysates of the agricultural residues bagasse, corn stover, and corn hulls plus fiber were readily fermented to ethanol by recombinant Escherichia coli strain K011. Corn steep liquor and crude yeast autolysate served as excellent nutrients. Fermentations were substantially complete within 48 h, often achieving over 40 g ethanol L**-1. Ethanol yields ranged from 86% to over 100% of the maximum theoretical yield (0.51 g ethanol g sugar**-1).