Bioethanol production from Shorea robusta (Sal) seeds using Zymomonas mobilis MTCC92

Abstract

Bioethanol is a viable alternative to fossil fuels. It is an alcohol fermented from sugars, starches or from cellulosic biomass. Bioethanol is a renewable liquid fuel for motor vehicles because it displaces the use of fossil fuels by recycling the carbon dioxide that is released when it is combusted as fuel. The objective of the work is to produce bioethanol from Shorea robusta (Sal) seeds using Zymomonas mobilis MTCC92. The effects of incubation period, temperature, pH and nutrients were evaluated.  It was found that after 72 hours of fermentation at temperature 37°C, pH 4 the production of bioethanol was enhanced and addition of sulphur and phosphorus supported the bioethanol production.