Abstract
The basidiomycete brown rot fungus Neolentinus lepideus is capable of assimilating and fermenting lactose to ethanol with a conversion yield comparable to those of lactose-fermenting yeasts. The ability of the fungus to ferment lactose is not influenced by the addition of glucose or calcium. Therefore, N. lepideus may be useful in ethanol production from materials composed mainly of lactose, such as cheese whey or expired cow’s milk. Whey is a by-product of cheese manufacturing, and approximately 50% of the total worldwide production of whey is normally disposed of without being utilized. We found that N. lepideus produced ethanol directly from cheese whey with a yield of 0.35 g of ethanol per gram of lactose consumed, and it also fermented expired milk containing lactose, protein, and fat with a similar yield. Our findings revealed that the naturally occurring basidiomycete fungus possesses a unique ability to produce ethanol from cheese whey and expired milk. Thus, N. lepideus may be useful in facilitating ethanol production from dairy wastes in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner.
Highlights
The reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2 ), which is a cause of global warming, involves the reduction of fossil fuel usage, being one of the main contributors for CO2, and is one of the most important global issues
N. lepideus may be useful in facilitating ethanol production from dairy wastes in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner
There is a need to shift to ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass, agricultural residues, and food waste as these renewable raw materials do not compete with food and do not affect the ecosystem [1,2]
Summary
The reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2 ), which is a cause of global warming, involves the reduction of fossil fuel usage, being one of the main contributors for CO2 , and is one of the most important global issues. From the viewpoint of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, bioethanol has attracted attention in recent years as an alternative to fossil fuels. Plants, such as sugar cane and corn, which are raw materials for bioethanol, absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and grow, off-setting the CO2 released upon their burning. As it is a so-called carbon neutral fuel, the use of bioethanol is not counted in carbon dioxide emissions. There is a need to shift to ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass, agricultural residues, and food waste as these renewable raw materials do not compete with food and do not affect the ecosystem [1,2]
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