Co-fermentation of succinic acid and ethanol from sugarcane bagasse based on full hexose and pentose utilization and carbon dioxide reduction

Abstract

The full utilization of carbohydrates in lignocellulosic biomass is essential for an efficient biorefining process. In this study, co-fermentation was performed for processing ethanol and succinic from sugarcane bagasse. By optimizing the co-fermentation conditions, nutrition and feeding strategies, a novel process was developed to make full utilization of the glucose and xylose in the hydrolysate of sugarcane bagasse. The achieved concentrations of succinic acid and ethanol reached to 22.1 and 22.0 g/L, respectively, and could realize the conversion of 100 g SCB raw material into 8.6 g ethanol and 8.7 g succinic acid. It is worth mentioning that the CO₂ released from S. cerevisiae in co-fermentation system was recycled by A. succinogenes to synthesize succinic acid, realized CO₂ emission reduction in the process of lignocellulosic biomass biorefinery. This study provided a clue for efficient biorefinery of lignocellulosic biomass and reduction greenhouse gas emissions.

Keywords: CO(2) emission reduction; Co-fermentation; Ethanol; Lignocellulosic biomass; Succinic acid.