R. Thenmozhi and J. Victoria
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the cheapest strain available for the conversion of biomass substrate. In the present study, it is used for bio-ethanol production from sugar molasses. Diluted cane molasses having total sugar and residual sugar content 7.0 and 7.14 % respectively was subjected to ethanol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Incorporation of dried cauliflower waste and cabbage waste in molasses increased ethanol production at the level of 52.6% compared to molasses by nearly 40.8% alone. Addition of 20% yeast extract improved ethanol production upto 82% as compared to molasses alone. Cell biomass, ethanol production, final ethanol concentration and fermentation at 20% inoculum on 5 days respectively were found to be best at 10% Cabbage and cauliflower waste. The optimal value of the temperature, pH, yeast inoculum and fermentation period are found to be 350C, 5, 20% and 5 days respectively.