Ethanol production from sulphuric acid wood hydrolysate ofPinus radiata using free and immobilized cells ofPichia stipitis

Summary Ethanol was produced by a strain ofPichia stipitis adapted to an inhibitory acid wood hydrolysate ofPinus radiata. The best ethanol productivity for batch cultures was 0.21 g/l h at 0.7% ethanol. Varying culture conditions increased ethanol concentration to 0.76%, however the productivity decreased to 0.18 g/l h. A decrease in ethanol concentration in the culture fluid was noted late in the batch which suggested ethanol catabolism. Values of kinetic parameters (K _m,K _s, _max, andV _max) were evaluated for this system. The use of calcium alginate immobilized cells in a continuous-flow stirred tank reactor lead to enhanced fermentative performance, namely a maximum productivity of 0.27 g/l h and 1.13% ethanol yield. The immobilized cells in continuous flow reactors represent an attractive option for fermenting sugars released by sulphuric acid hydrolysis ofP. radiata wood.