Continuous production of ethanol from hexoses and pentoses using immobilized mixed cultures of Escherichia coli strains.

ABSTRACT: We have developed highly efficient ethanologenic Escherichia coli strains that selectively consume pentoses and/or hexoses. Mixed cultures of these strains can be used to selectively adjust the sugar utilization kinetics in ethanol fermentations. Based on the kinetics of sugar utilization, we have designed and implemented an immobilized cell system for the optimized continuous conversion of sugars into ethanol. The results confirm that immobilized mixed cultures support a simultaneous conversion of hexoses and pentoses into ethanol at high yield and at a faster rate than immobilized homogenous cells. Continuous ethanol production has been maintained for several weeks at high productivity with near complete sugar utilization. The control of sugar utilization using immobilized mixed cultures

SUBMITTER: Unrean P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2970928 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature