FERMENTATION OF XYLOSE TO GLYCEROL BY RHIZOPUS-JAVANICUS

Glycerol production from xylose fermentation using Rhizopus javanicus (ATCC 22581) has been investigated in shake flasks. The medium composi tion (xylose concentration, nitrogen sources), aeration rate, and temp erature have been found to affect the accumulation and yield of glycer ol. Some of these effects are explained in terms of the critical param eters, osmotic pressure, and dissolved oxygen levels in the medium. Re latively high glycerol yields and concentrations have been obtained at high sugar concentration with high level of aeration at room temperat ure. The addition of polyethylene glycol or sulfite can improve the yi eld and accumulation of glycerol.