Ethanol production from various plant sources using Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract

The comparative analysis on ethanol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae from different carbohydrate rich sources like Sweet potato, Cassava, Sugar beet, Mahua flower, Sal seed and Grapes was studied. The optimum temperature to get maximum ethanol yield varied from 29 oC to 35 oC. The values for Cassava, Grape, Sweet potato, Sugar beet, Mahua flower and Sal seed were 29, 35, 31, 30, 31 and 34 oC respectively. The optimum pH for ethanol yield in Mahua and Grape was 5.0 where as in Sugar beet and Sweet potato was at 5.5. The value for Sal seed and Cassava were 4.5 and 6.0 respectively. In batch fermentation after 8th day highest ethanol production of 27.8% was noticed in case Mahua flower and lowest 5.9% in grapes. Ethanol yield from Sweet potato was 14.2% followed by Sal seed 13.6%, Sugar beet 12.6% and Cassava 7.9%. The present findings showed positive relationship of carbohydrate content to that of ethanol yield from the substrates used and Mahua flower may be best use for commercial ethanol production.