5-57: Cellulase production by Penicillium funiculosum using pretreated sugarcane bagasse and its applicaiton on second generation ethanol production

This study aimed to produce a cellulasic blend and apply it on the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process of sugar cane bagasse for second generation ethanol production. The enzyme production was performed batchwise, in a bioreactor and two inoculum concentrations (5 and 10% v/v) were evaluated. The obtained enzymatic extract was concentrated by tangential ultrafiltration in hollow fiber membranes. The stability of cellulasic blend was evaluated at 37 and 50°C (operation temperature in SSF process) and this blend was applied in fed-batch SSF process for ethanol production. The use of an inoculum concentration of 10% provided the increases on cellulases production and the highest volumetric productivity. Cellulase activity was steady for 300h at 37 and 50°C. The feeding strategy of solid fraction allowed to maintain a low proportion between insoluble solid and liquid and then circumvent the recurrent problems of diffusion limitations, achieving high concentration of ethanol at 144 h of fermentation (100g/L).