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Conversion of hydrolysates of corn cobs and hulls into ethanol by recombinantEscherichia coli B containing integrated genes for ethanol production

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Summary

Hemicellulose and residual starch in corn hulls from wet milling and hemicellulose in corn cobs were hydrolyzed by incubation in dilute sulfuric acid at 140°C to 160°C. These hydrolysates were efficiently fermented to ethanol by a genetically engineered derivative ofE. coli B, strain KO11. Fermentation of com hull hydrolysate was complete after 48 h with a final ethanol concentration of 38 grams per liter. Fermentation of corn cob hydrolysate was essentially complete after 24 h due to a lower concentration of sugars and higher levels of inocula. In both cases, ethanol produced was equivalent to 100% of the maximum theoretical yield (0.51 grams ethanol/gram sugar) based on momoner sugar content. ThusE. coli B strain KO11 appears to be an excellent candidate for the efficient production of ethanol from hydrolysates of corn residues.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, 32611, Gainesville, Florida

    D. S. Belll & L. O. Ingram

  2. Bioenergy International, L.C., 1901 N. W. 67th Place, 32606, Gainesville, Florida

    A. Ben-Bassat, J. B. Doran, D. E. Fowler, R. G. Hall & B. E. Wood

Authors
  1. D. S. Belll
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  2. L. O. Ingram
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  3. A. Ben-Bassat
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  4. J. B. Doran
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  5. D. E. Fowler
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  6. R. G. Hall
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  7. B. E. Wood
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Belll, D.S., Ingram, L.O., Ben-Bassat, A. et al. Conversion of hydrolysates of corn cobs and hulls into ethanol by recombinantEscherichia coli B containing integrated genes for ethanol production. Biotechnol Lett 14, 857–862 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01029153

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01029153

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