Application of a compatible xylose isomerase in simultaneous bioconversion of glucose and xylose to ethanol

Simultaneous isomerisation and fermentation (SIF) of xylose and simultaneous isomerisation and cofermentation (SICF) of glucose-xylose mixture was carried out by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the presence of a compatible xylose isomerase. The enzyme converted xylose to xylulose and S. cerevisiae fermented xylulose, along with glucose, to ethanol at pH 5.0 and 30°C. This compatible xylose isomerase from Candida boidinii, having an optimum pH and temperature range of 4.5-5.0 and 30-35°C respectively, was partially purified and immobilized on an inexpensive, inert and easily available support, hen egg shell. An immobilized xylose isomerase loading of 4.5 IU/(g initial xylose) was optimum for SIF of xylose as well as SICF of glucose-xylose mixture to ethanol by S. cerevisiae. The SICF of 30 g/L glucose and 70 g xylose/L gave an ethanol concentration of 22.3 g/L with yield of 0.36 g/(g sugar consumed) and xylose conversion efficiency of 42.8%.