Optimization of Fermentation Parameters for Ethanol Production

One of the processes employed for manufacture of ethanol is fermentation of molasses by the action of enzymes. Generally the fermentation processes yield high value chemicals from low cost materials. Therefore, the present experiment is carried out to obtain optimum conditions for fermentation of synthetic molasses in the presence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) enzyme. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the cheapest strain available for the conversion of biomass substrate. In the present study, it is used for bio-ethanol production from sugar molasses. Synthetic molasses is subjected to fermentation in the presence of S. cerevisiae NCIM -2232 (yeast). The effects of pH, temperature, sugar concentration of solution and incubation period are studied. The pH is varied from 2 to 5.5. The temperature is changed from 20 to 52 °C. Sugar concentration of solution is taken from 1% to 30%. Addition of yeast is in the range of 1 to 8g per liter. From this study the optimum pH is found to be 4.25. The optimum initial solution temperature is 30°C. Optimum values of sugar concentration is 18% w / v and incubation period is 50 hours. Ethanol is a very important industrial chemical which has plenty of applications both as a base chemical and as an intermediate. As a solvent, it is found in paints, tinctures, markers, perfumes and deodorants. It is used in the manufacture of alcoholic beverages, as antifreeze in automobile radiators, as a preservative for biological specimens etc.