Bottlenecks in lignocellulosic ethanol production: xylose fermentation and cell propagation
Conference poster, 2017

A remaining challenge for the development of economically feasible 2nd generation bio-ethanol is low xylose consumption rate and inhibitor tolerance of the utilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. Yeast starter cultures produced for ethanol production in simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SSCF) processes have to meet high, seemingly conflicting requirements. A high biomass yield during propagation is required to produce the high cell concentrations required for the harsh conditions in the proceeding fermentation. Inhibitor tolerance is essential for producing a highly viable starter culture as well as favorable fermentation kinetics. Short-term adaptation of yeast cultures during propagation has been shown to have a positive effect on pentose conversion as well as inhibitor tolerance. Here we propose a model propagation strategy for evaluating physiology of yeast cultures during propagation. This model propagation strategy will be implemented in a study comparing physiology of yeast cultures with and without exposure to lignocellulosic inhibitors during propagation to assess what molecular mechanisms underlie the short-term adaptation response phenotype. For industry, a better control of yeast properties during propagation will result in an improved and consistent performance of yeast starter cultures for SSCF purposes.

Adaptation

Cellulosic ethanol

Propagation

Author

Marlous van Dijk

Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Industrial Biotechnology

Lisbeth Olsson

Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Industrial Biotechnology

European biomass conference 2017, 25th edition, June 12-15; Stockholm, Sweden.

Subject Categories

Biochemicals

Industrial Biotechnology

Bioenergy

Areas of Advance

Energy

More information

Created

1/4/2018 4