The influence of inert solids on ethanol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The catalytic role of various inert solid supports on acceleration of alcoh ol fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated. The enhanced rate of alcohol production was dependent on the nature of the support as we ll as on the amount used. Among all the tested supports, chitosan flakes sh owed the maximum yield of alcohol (93% of theoretical yield). This higher r ate of alcohol production was associated with the twofold increase in the a ctivity of alcohol dehydrogenase over control. Our results suggest that the addition of a small fraction of solids in submerged fermentations to facil itate cell anchorage for enhanced metabolic activity is easier and more eco nomical compared to cell immobilization processes.