Effect of the method for the elimination of inhibitors present in Miscanthus giganteus hydrolysates on ethanol production effectiveness

Abstract

The pretreatment of lignocellulosic material performed to improve substrate’s susceptibility to enzymatic hydrolysis is usually accompanied by reactions leading to the synthesis of compounds that inhibit the metabolic activity of microorganisms. Their toxicity is the main obstacle to the successful bioconversion of lignocellulosic hydrolysates. The identification of these inhibitors and the choice of the optimal detoxication method are crucial for the improving the efficiency of fermentation processes. Material rinsing with water after processing is a common detoxication practice. However, it generates material losses, thus affecting contents of saccharides in the fermentation medium, which may in turn trigger higher costs of lignocellulose conversion to ethanol and other products with a higher added value. A study was undertaken to determine the effect of selected methods for the detoxication of an enzymatic hydrolysate from Miscanthus giganteus on the fermentation efficiency of saccharide derivatives. The experiment conducted with Mucor rouxii DSM 1191 demonstrated the usability of the detoxication method based on the activated carbon. After 96-h fermentation of Miscanthus hydrolysates, the alcohol content in the post-reaction medium was higher by 14% than in the control experiment wherein the material was rinsed with water after pretreatment. The experiment carried out with Saccharomyces cerevisiae 7, NRRL 978 showed no positive impact of the alternative detoxication methods replacing material rinsing on the efficiency of ethanol synthesis. The highest concentration of this metabolite (2.04% (v/v)) was obtained in the experimental variant in which the mentioned operation was coupled with detoxication of hydrolysates using calcium hydroxide.