Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 5, 2025

Techniques for the Evolution of Robust Pentose-fermenting Yeast for Bioconversion of Lignocellulose to Ethanol
Published on: October 24, 2016
Mechanistic insights into morphological and chemical changes during benzenesulfonic acid pretreatment and
Xuelian Zhou1, Chunlong Guan1, Yexuan Xu1
1Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources and International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
Abstract:
The anatomical and histochemical characterization of pretreated substrates is essential for the further valorization of biomass during the biorefinery process. In this work, the benzenesulfonic acid (BA)-treated substrates were employed for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of ethanol for the first time. An ethanol yield of 50.36% was attained at 10% solids loading and 47.45 g/L of ethanol accumulated at 30 % solids loading. The dramatic improvements could result from the deconstruction of cell walls, which were evidenced by fluorescence microscope and confocal Raman microscopy spectra. Additionally, for a thorough comprehension of the inherent chemistry of lignin during the BA pretreatment, the changes in lignin structure features were identified for the first time by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). In summary, this study tried to probe the possibility of BA-treated Miscanthus for the SSF process and unveiled the mechanism of the efficient BA pretreatment.
Related Concept Videos
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Sulfonation of Benzene
Microbial Fermentation
Fates of Pyruvate
In aerobic organisms, pyruvate is metabolized via the citric acid cycle to produce reduced coenzymes NADH and FADH2. These coenzymes are then oxidized in the electron transport chain to produce ATP and, in the process, regenerate the NAD+ and FAD. As seen in some cell types and organisms, fermentation...
Benzene to 1,4-Cyclohexadiene: Birch Reduction Mechanism

