Application of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound to increase bio-ethanol production

Mohamed Shaheen, Michael Choi, Woon Ang, Yupeng Zhao, James Xing, Ray Yang, Jida Xing, Jian Zhang and Jie Chen

Renewable Energy, 2013, vol. 57, issue C, 462-468

Abstract: We explored the application of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS) technology to improve the metabolic activity of microorganisms. In this study we showed that LIPUS improves bio-ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass. We determined specific LIPUS conditions to increase the metabolic activity of both the cellulose degrading fungus, Trichoderma reesei Rut C-30 and the ethanol producing yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. LIPUS conditions of 1.5 MHz, 20% duty cycle, 80 mW/cm2 intensity, 5 min exposure and 12 exposures per day were found to improve the activity of the organisms the most. These LIPUS treatment conditions increased cellulase production by T. reesei by 16 ± 6%. The same LIPUS treatment conditions induced a 31 ± 10% increase in ethanol production by S. cerevisiae which implies a cumulative improvement of 52 ± 16% in lignocellulosic bio-ethanol production with LIPUS. This observation shows a new potential for LIPUS in the improvement of lignocellulosic bioethanol production to make it a sustainable energy source.

Keywords: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS); Biofuels; Renewable energy; Bio-ethanol; Trichoderma reesei; Saccharomyces cerevisiae (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:57:y:2013:i:c:p:462-468

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2013.02.009

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