Ethanol production from Agave salmiana leaves by semi and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation at high temperature using Kluyveromyces marxianus

Second-generation ethanol production by separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) currently remains economically unviable, and thus more profitable alternatives are being sought. In the present study, the lignocellulosic biomass (LB) of Agave salmiana leaves was evaluated in the production of bioethanol through the processes of SHF, semi-simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSSF), and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF). The leaves of A. salmiana were subjected to acid pretreatment (1% H2SO4) and then to saccharification at temperatures of 40 and 50 & DEG;C. The processes of SHF, SSSF, and SSF were evaluated at 40 & DEG;C using the yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus OFF1. The results show that saccharification at 50 & DEG;C released up to 103.12 & PLUSMN; 1.07 g/L of reducing sugars, while at a temperature of 40 & DEG;C, the value was 78.41 & PLUSMN; 0.80 g/L, and thus the enzyme retained 76% of its activity at the latter temperature. In the fermentation processes, sugar consumption was up to 89% and ethanol yield up to 94%. The maximum ethanol production was recorded with the process of SSF, with concentrations of 51.5 g/L, which were significant and at least 13% higher compared to the other processes. The results show that the thermotolerance of K. marxianus OFF1 allows fermentation at 40 & DEG;C and a more efficient SSF process for transforming the sugars from this agro-industrial waste into ethanol.