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Updated: May 14, 2026

Techniques for the Evolution of Robust Pentose-fermenting Yeast for Bioconversion of Lignocellulose to Ethanol
Published on: October 24, 2016
Seed train development for the fermentation of bagasse from sweet sorghum and sugarcane using a simplified
C C Geddes1, M T Mullinnix, I U Nieves
1Dept Microbiology & Cell Science, Univ Florida, Box 110700, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States.
Abstract:
A process was developed for seed culture expansion (3.6 million-fold) using 5% of the hemicellulose hydrolysate from dilute acid pretreatment as the sole organic nutrient and source of sugar. Hydrolysate used for seed growth was neutralized with ammonia and combined with 1.0mM sodium metabisulfite immediately before inoculation. This seed protocol was tested with phosphoric acid pretreated sugarcane and sweet sorghum bagasse using a simplified process with co-fermentation of fiber, pentoses, and hexoses in a single vessel (SScF). A 6h liquefaction (L) step improved mixing prior to inoculation. Fermentations (L+SScF process) were completed in 72 h with high yields (>80 gal/US ton). Ethanol titers for this L+SScF process ranged from 24 g/L to 32 g/L, and were limited by the bagasse concentration (10% dry matter).
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