[One-step ethanol fermentation with Kluyveromyces marxianus YX01 from Jerusalem artichoke].

A unique one-step ethanol fermentation process was developed with the inulinase-producing strain Kluyveromyces marxianus YX01. Firstly, the impact of temperature on ethanol fermentation was investigated through flask fermentation, and the temperature of 35 degrees C was observed to be the optimum to coordinate inulinase production, inulin saccharification and ethanol fermentation. And then, the impact of aeration and substrate concentration was studied through batch fermentation in the 2.5 L fermentor, and the experimental data indicated that the average ethanol fermentation time was decreased at the aeration rates of 50 mL/min and 100 mL/min, but higher ethanol yield was obtained under non-aeration conditions with more substrate directed to ethanol production. The ethanol concentration of 92.2 g/L was achieved with the substrate containing 235 g/L inulin, and the ethanol yield was calculated to be 0.436, equivalent to 85.5% of its theoretical value. Finally, Jerusalem artichoke grown in salina and irrigated with seawater was fermented without sterilization treatment, 84.0 g/L ethanol was obtained with the substrate containing 280 g/L dry Jerusalem artichoke meal, and the ethanol yield was calculated to be 0.405, indicating the Jerusalem artichoke could be an alternative feedstock for grain-based fuel ethanol production.