Biotechnology Letters, Vol.18, No.11, 1315-1318, 1996
Direct Fermentation of Cassava Starch to Ethanol by Mixed Cultures of Endomycopsis-Fibuligera and Zymomonas-Mobilis - Synergism and Limitations
A mixed culture of Endomycopsis fibuligera NRRL 76 and Zymomonas mobilis ZM4 could directly and more efficiently ferment cassava starch (22.5% w/v) to ethanol (10.5% v/v) than the monocultures. The combination of culture filtrate of E.fibuligera containing amylases and Z.mobilis simultaneously saccharified and fermented the cassava starch to ethanol equally well. Glucoamylase (0.01%) added to the fermenting medium improved ethanol (13.2% v/v) production by the above mixed culture to almost the theoretical level (98%) indicating that this enzyme is a rate-limiting factor in E.fibuligera. Z. mobilis alone converted the enzyme-hydrolyzed starch only to almost theoretical level (98%).