Performance of a Newly Developed Integrant of Zymomonas mobilis for Ethanol Production on Corn Stover Hydrolysate

Efficient conversion of lignocellulosic biomass requires biocatalysts able to tolerate inhibitors produced by many pretreatment processes. Recombinant Zymomonas mobilis 8b, a recently developed integrant of Zymomonas mobilis 31821 (pZB5), tolerated acetic acid up to 16 g l^-1 and achieved 82%-87% (w/w) ethanol yields from pure glucose/xylose solutions at pH 6 and temperatures of 30°C and 37°C. An ethanol yield of 85% (w/w) was achieved on glucose/xylose from hydrolysate produced by dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment of corn stover after an 'overliming' process was used to improve hydrolysate fermentability.