[Selection of a mixed culture of cellulosolytic thermophilic anaerobes from various natural sources].

Microbial associations capable of converting cellulose-containing substrates to ethanol and organic acids were isolated from natural sources. The resulting mixed cultures utilized cellulose, cellobiose, glucose, maize residue, cotton, and flax boon producing ethanol (up to 0.9 g/l) and acetic acid (up to 0.8 g/l). The most complete conversion of cellulose-containing substrates occurred at 60 degrees C, pH 7.0. The selected association of thermophilic anaerobic bacteria produced 0.64 g ethanol per g substrate utilized at the ethanol/acetate ratio 4.7:1.