ARS | Publication request: COMPARATIVE TOLERANCE STUDIES REVEAL DOSE-DEPENDENT INHIBITION OF ETHANOLOGENIC YEASTS BY FURFURAL AND 5-HYDROXYMETHYLFURFURAL

Submitted to: Society of Industrial Microbiology Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: August 14, 2003
Publication Date: August 14, 2003
Citation: Liu, Z., Slininger, P.J., Dien, B.S., Kurtzman, C.P., Gorsich, S.W. 2004. Comparative tolerance studies reveal dose-dependent inhibition of ethanologenic yeasts by furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural [abstract]. Society of Industrial Microbiology. Paper No. 40.

Technical Abstract: As interest in alternative energy sources increases, lignocellulosic materials have become attractive resources for biofuel production. However, numerous inhibitory compounds are generated during acid hydrolysis of lignocelluloses to simple sugars for fermentation. Furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) are among the most potent inhibitors to fermentation. In a comparative study, furfural and HMF tolerance responses of 15 strains in nine species of ethanologenic yeasts were evaluated. When present at 10, 30, and 60 mM in a fermentation medium, each inhibitor caused significant suppression of cell growth and ethanol production. A dose-dependent response to inhibitory compounds was observed. Responses to either single or combined inhibitors appeared to be strain dependent. The combined addition of furfural and HMF showed synergism relative to cell growth suppression. No substantial cell growth was observed for the combined inhibitors at 30 and 60 mM.