Bioethanol production from corn stalk juice using Saccharomyces cerevisiae TISTR 5020

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to use sweet corn hybrid hi-brix53 stalk juice for bioethanol production, to give a solution to the growing problem of food vs. fuel and to utilize waste for cheaper production. Hi-brix 53 stalk juice contained 112.07 ± 2.99 g L⁻¹ of total sugars and 21.83 ± 1.09 g L⁻¹ of reducing sugars. Through fermentation (24–120 h) using yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), it produced 6.01% (v/v) bioethanol. The final ethanol produce (g L⁻¹) yield efficiency and volumetric ethanol productivity were at the highest at 24 h with 47.87 L⁻¹, 87.62% and 1.97 ± 0.06 (g L⁻¹ h⁻¹). These results suggest that hi-brix 53 stalk juice is an ideal substrate for bioethanol production.

KEYWORDS:

• Corn (Zea mays) juice
• bioethanol production
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae
• free cell yeast
• agri-waste to energy

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Dr. Thidarat Siriboon (Lecturer, Program in Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Production, Maejo University and Mrs. Sawitreee Tipnee (Scientist, Program in Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Maejo University) for their help and support in fulfilling this research. In addition, thank you very much for School of Renewable Energy “Master student scholarship” to fulfill these study experiments.