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The influence of inert solids on ethanol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae
R S Prakasham1, B Kuriakose, S V Ramakrishna
1Department of Biochemical and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India.
Abstract:
The catalytic role of various inert solid supports on acceleration of alcohol fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated. The enhanced rate of alcohol production was dependent on the nature of the support as well as on the amount used. Among all the tested supports, chitosan flakes showed the maximum yield of alcohol (93% of theoretical yield). This higher rate of alcohol production was associated with the twofold increase in the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase over control. Our results suggest that the addition of a small fraction of solids in submerged fermentations to facilitate cell anchorage for enhanced metabolic activity is easier and more economical compared to cell immobilization processes.