Production of ethanol from potato pulp: Investigation of the role of the enzyme from Acremonium cellulolyticus in conversion of potato pulp into ethanol

In this study, the saccharification and fermentation of the by-product of starch manufacture, potato pulp, were investigated. Analytic results of the components show that the potato pulp contains large amounts of starch, cellulose, and pectin. A commercial enzyme from Acremonium cellulolyticus was found to be highly efficient in the saccharification of potato pulp, since it exhibited high pectinase, α-amylase, and cellulase activities. Hydrothermal treatment of the potato pulp increased the saccharification rate, with a corresponding glucose concentration of 114 g/L and yield of 68% compared to the glucose concentration of 47 g/L and yield of 28% in the untreated case. The hydrolyzate could be used as both nitrogen and carbon sources for ethanol fermentation, showing that bioconversion of potato pulp to ethanol is feasible.