Ethanol production from starch by immobilized Aspergillus awamori and Saccharomyces pastorianus using cellulose carriers

A simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process was investig ated to produce ethanol using two kinds of cellulose carriers that were res pectively suitable for immobilization of Aspergillus awamori and Saccharomy ces pastorianus. The maximum ethanol concentration attained by the batch op eration was 25.5 g l(-1). Under suitable conditions, both cellulose carrier s with immobilized cells could be reused efficiently for three cycles. The total amount of ethanol production was 66.0 g (per I I working volume) afte r the repeated operation. Ethanol productivity mainly depends on a sacchari fication process. There is a limit in durability in the repeated batch oper ation, and it is important to maintain high activity of the fungus in order to produce ethanol efficiently.