ISSN:
1432-0614
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
Notes:
Summary A yeast strain, Saccharomyces cerevisiae KPY32 isolated from pito, a traditional West-African alcoholic beverage, was immobilized in porous ceramic beads as a means of improving its ethanol production. Stationary fermentation cultures at different temperatures were made using semi-synthetic medium and fermentation parameters including ethanol production, sugar consumption, cell growth and pH were monitored. Glycerol production, and the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) of the various systems were monitored. It was found that immobilization of the yeast resulted in improved ethanol production, at conversion rates above 93% of the theoretical value. The pH of the immobilized systems was also stabilized at around 4.0, glycerol production was higher, and the ADH activities were higher than those of free-cell systems. Ethanol production at the high temperature of 37° C was also improved by immobilization. The promotive action was found to be related to the pH, presence of glycerol and the enhancement of ADH activity.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00172181
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