Bioethanol has attracted much attention in recent decades as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative energy source. In this study, we compared the production of bioethanol by Candida molischiana and Saccharomyces cerevisiae at different initial concentrations of cellobiose and glucose. The results showed that C. molischiana can utilize both glucose and cellobiose, whereas S. cerevisiae can only utilize glucose. The ethanol yields were 43-51% from different initial concentrations of carbon source. In addition, different concentrations of microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel) were directly converted to ethanol by a combination of Trichoderma reesei and two yeasts. Cellulose was first hydrolyzed by a fully enzymatic saccharification process using T. reesei cellulases, and the reducing sugars and glucose produced during the process were further used as carbon source for bioethanol production by C. molischiana or S. cerevisiae. Sequential culture of T. reesei and two yeasts revealed that C. molischiana was more efficient for bioconversion of sugars to ethanol than S. cerevisiae. When 20 g/l Avicel was used as a carbon source, the maximum reducing sugar, glucose, and ethanol yields were 42%, 26%, and 20%, respectively. The maximum concentrations of reducing sugar, glucose, and ethanol were 10.9, 8.57, and 5.95 g/l, respectively, at 120 h by the combination of T. reesei and C. molischiana from 50 g/l Avicel.
Keywords: Bioethanol; Candida molischiana; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Trichoderma reesei; avicel.