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US 4,359,534 AGranted
Conversion of D-xylose to ethanol by the yeast Pachysolen tannophilus
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
InventorsCletus P. Kurtzman, Rodney J. Bothast, James E. VanCauwenberge
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Abstract
A method is disclosed for converting D-xylose to ethanol relying on the unique ability of the yeast Pachysolen tannophilus to ferment this five-carbon sugar without the use of added enzymes. This process will be particularly useful in the production of ethanolic fuel from plant biomass.
Claims11
A method for producing ethanol from a xylose-containing substance comprising the following steps:
- a. inoculating a medium containing said substance with the yeast Pachysolen tannophilus;
- b. fermenting said substance in said inoculated medium under conditions favorable for cell viability and for conversion of xylose to ethanol by the yeast, thereby enriching said medium with ethanol;
- and
- c. recovering said ethanol-enriched medium from the fermentation of step (b).
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.