Powdered Inoculum: A New Approach for Improving Bioethanol Production During Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF) of Lignocellulosic Biomass

Abstract

This study presents a practical approach to enhancing microbial inoculum availability through the development of powdered inoculum for use in simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of lignocellulosic materials for bioethanol production. The powdered inoculum is composed of a consortium of three microbes: Trichoderma reesei, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Zymomonas mobilis. Rice, corn, and soybean flour, supplemented with 5% (w/w) glucose, serve as carriers for the microbial consortium. The stability and viability of the powdered inoculum were evaluated using the Total Plate Count (TPC) method. The inoculum was applied to lignocellulosic material in the form of Dewaka banana pseudostem (DBP), which underwent pretreatment involving chemical-free pressure heating and drying. The powdered inoculum was applied to the lignocellulosic material for a 15-day fermentation period. Parameters monitored included optical density, reducing sugar levels, and bioethanol concentration. The results showed that microbial growth in the inoculum at the time of preparation was 1.26 × 10⁷ CFU g⁻¹, and after four weeks of storage, it was 9.42 × 10⁸ CFU g⁻¹. The bioethanol yield was 34.85 g g⁻¹ substrate on the third day of inoculation, with a bioethanol concentration of 12.25% achieved by the 12th day.

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