Selection of thermotolerant yeast strains for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of cellulose

A total of 58 yeast strains from 12 genera were assayed for their ability to grow and ferment carbohydrates in standard Durham tube test at 40, 43, and 46°C. Based on the kinetic parameters for glucose fermentation in shaken flask cultures, the strain Fabospora fragilis CCY51‐1‐1 was chosen for further studies. It reached about 56.0 and 35.0 g ethanol/L from ∼140 g glucose/L at 43 and 46°C in less than 48 h, respectively. Trichoderma reesei cellulase preparation (400 FPU/L) had not distinct effect on the ethanol yield and biomass production by the selected strain in the first 12 h fermentation at 46°C. Later a negligible decrease in both yields was observed. It was found that Fabospora fragilis did not grow or produce ethanol at 46°C as tho initial ethanol concentration overcame 40 g/L.