Fed-batch semi-simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of reed pretreated with liquid hot water for bio-ethanol production using Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Reed was pretreated with liquid hot water (LHW) and then subjected to fed-batch semi-simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (S-SSF) to obtain high ethanol concentration and yield. Results show that water-insoluble solid (WIS) produced from reed pretreated at 180 and 210 °C could be effectively converted to ethanol by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The optimum conditions for bio-ethanol production are as follows: fermentation temperature of 36 °C, pH of 4.8 with cellulase loading of 40 filter paper activity units/g oven-dried WIS, and 18 h pre-hydrolysis at 50 °C. Approximately 6.4% (w/v) fed-batch substrate was added after 6 h of the 18 h enzymatic pre-hydrolysis. The highest ethanol concentration of 39.4 g/L was achieved. The conversion of glucan in the WIS to ethanol reached 79.1% (180 °C) and 75.1% (210 °C) respectively. The ethanol yields per kg of oven-dried reed were 283 g/L at 180 °C and 244 g/L at 210 °C.