Evaluation of cell recycling in continuous fermentation of enzymatic hydrolysates of spruce with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and on-line monitoring of glucose and ethanol

The maximum growth rate of Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 96581, adapted to fermentation of spent sulphite liquor (SSL), was 7 times higher in SSL of h ardwood than the maximum growth rate of bakers' yeast. ATCC 96581 was studi ed in the continuous fermentation of spruce hydrolysate without and with ce ll recycling. Ethanol productivity by ATCC 96581 in continuous fermentation of an enzymatic hydrolysate of spruce was increased 4.6 times by employing cell recycling. On-line analysis of CO2, glucose and ethanol (using a micr odialysis probe) was used to investigate the effect of fermentation pH on c ell growth and ethanol production, and to set the dilution rate. Cell growt h in the spruce hydrolysates was strongly influenced by fermentation pH. Th e fermentation was operated in continuous mode for 210 h and a theoretical ethanol yield on fermentable sugars was obtained.