Simultaneous Cellulase Production, Saccharification and Detoxification Using Dilute Acid Hydrolysate of S. spontaneum...

Bioethanol production from lignocellulosic materials has several limitations. One aspect is the high production cost of cellulases used for saccharification of substrate and inhibition of fermenting yeast due to inhibitors released in acid hydrolysis. In the present work we have made an attempt to achieve simultaneous cellulases production, saccharification and detoxification using dilute acid hydrolysate of Saccharum spontaneum with and without addition of nutrients, supplemented with acid hydrolyzed biomass prior to inoculation in one set and after 3 days of inoculation in another set. Organisms used were T. reesei NCIM 992, and Aspergillus niger isolated in our laboratory. Cellulase yield obtained was 0.8 IU/ml on fourth day with T. reesei. Sugars were found to increase from fourth to fifth day, when hydrolysate was supplemented with nutrients and acid hydrolyzed biomass followed by inoculation with T. reesei. Phenolics were also found to decrease by 67%.