Depolymerization of bagasse by Ruminococcus albus in the production of eco-friendly fuel

Ethanol production by fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass-derived sugars involves a fairly ancient art and an ever-evolving science. Production of ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass is not avant-garde, and wood ethanol plants have been in existence since at least 1915. Most current ethanol production relies on starch- and sugarbased crops as the substrate; however, limitations of these materials and competing value for human and animal feeds is renewing interest in lignocellulose  conversion.Lignocellulosic biomass contains carbohydrate fractions that can be converted into ethanol. In order to convert these fractions, the cellulose and hemicelluloses must ultimately be converted or hydrolysed into monosaccharides; it is the hydrolysis that has historically proven to be problematic. Biologically mediated processes are promising for energy conversion, in particular for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into  fuels. The objective of the present study is to optimise cellulosic ethanol production from bagasse by using Ruminococcus albus isolated from rumen of herbivores animals. The processing and utilization of the  lignocellulosic substrate is complex, differing in many aspects from crop-based ethanol production. Since the scientific dogma states that the breakdown or depolymerisation of lignocellulose can be achieved only by chemical or by enzymatic approach; in the present study we isolated Ruminococcus albus from rumen animals which was depolymerise cellulose and hemicellulose as well as to tolerate stress conditions. Optimum temperature, pH and substrate concentration for depolymerization were 390C, 8.8 and 3.5% respectively for Ruminococcus albus. For the feed  stock of concentration 3.5%, ethanol yield of 19.8g/l was obtained

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Mangal;mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:HI" lang="EN-US">Hydrolysis of lignocellulosic feed stock by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ruminococcus albus</i> in production of biofuel ethanol</span>

453-457Ethanol is an alternative to fossil fuel. Current ethanol production processes using crops, such as, sugarcane and corn are well-established. However, utilization of a cheaper substrate, such as, lignocellulose makes bioethanol more purposeful. Biologically mediated processes are promising for energy conversion, in particular, for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fuels. In the present study, optimized cellulosic ethanol production from bagasse and sorghum using Ruminococcus albus isolated from rumen of herbivores animals was attempted. R. albus could depolymerise cellulose and hemicellulose as well as could tolerate stress conditions (variable substrate concentration, pH, and temperature). Optimum temperature, pH and substrate concentration for hydrolyses of both bagasse and sorghum by R. albus were found to be 39<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: " times="" new="" roman""="" lang="EN-US">°C, 8.8 and 3.5%, respectively. For the feed stock (3.5%) of bagasse and sorghum, ethanol yield of 19.8 g/L and 17.42 g/L, respectively was obtained. </span