Ethanol production in Brazil: a bridge between science and industry

ABSTRACT In the last 40 years, several scientific and technological advances in microbiology of the fermentation have greatly contributed to evolution of the ethanol industry in Brazil. These contributions have increased our view and comprehension about fermentations in the first and, more recently, second-generation ethanol. Nowadays, new technologies are available to produce ethanol from sugarcane, corn and other feedstocks, reducing the off-season period. Better control of fermentation conditions can reduce the stress conditions for yeast cells and contamination by bacteria and wild yeasts. There are great research opportunities in production processes of the first-generation ethanol regarding high-value added products, cost reduction and selection of new industrial yeast strains that are more robust and customized for each distillery. New technologies have also focused on the reduction of vinasse volumes by increasing the ethanol concentrations in wine during fermentation. Moreover, conversion of sugarcane biomass into fermentable sugars for second-generation ethanol production is a promising alternative to meet future demands of biofuel production in the country. However, building a bridge between science and industry requires investments in research, development and transfer of new technologies to the industry as well as specialized personnel to deal with new technological challenges.

Ethanol production in Brazil: a bridge between science and industry

ABSTRACT In the last 40 years, several scientific and technological advances in microbiology of the fermentation have greatly contributed to evolution of the ethanol industry in Brazil. These contributions have increased our view and comprehension about fermentations in the first and, more recently, second-generation ethanol. Nowadays, new technologies are available to produce ethanol from sugarcane, corn and other feedstocks, reducing the off-season period. Better control of fermentation conditions can reduce the stress conditions for yeast cells and contamination by bacteria and wild yeasts. There are great research opportunities in production processes of the first-generation ethanol regarding high-value added products, cost reduction and selection of new industrial yeast strains that are more robust and customized for each distillery. New technologies have also focused on the reduction of vinasse volumes by increasing the ethanol concentrations in wine during fermentation. Moreover, conversion of sugarcane biomass into fermentable sugars for second-generation ethanol production is a promising alternative to meet future demands of biofuel production in the country. However, building a bridge between science and industry requires investments in research, development and transfer of new technologies to the industry as well as specialized personnel to deal with new technological challenges.

Enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse pretreated with acid or alkali

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of enzymatic hydrolysis of acid or alkali pretreated sugarcane bagasse for the production of fermentable sugars. The first step consisted of selection of commercial enzymes presenting the highest cellulolytic activities. After selection of four enzymes: HPL, CL, P1 and P4, their performances were tested in the bagasse pretreated with acid and alkali. The sugar content of the hydrolysates was analyzed by anion exchange liquid chromatography. Data showed that the joint action of 0.5 percent acid pretreatment, 121ºC, 30 minutes and enzyme CL provides the best results, 67.25 g of hexose and 148.13g of pentose per kg of dry bagasse.

Histerectomias no ciclo grávido-puerperal / Hysterectomies in puerperal-pregnancy cycle

É analisada a ocorrência de 14 histerectomias puerperais (0,09%), observadas na Maternidade do Hospital Santa Lúcia entre 15.435 intervençöes obstétricas, incluindo abortamentos e partos verificadas no período de janeiro de 1983 a abril de 1985. Idade da paciente, paridade, história obstétrica anterior e atual, foram alguns dos aspectos analisados. Este ato cirúrgico veio acompanhado em 78,56% de multíparas, sendo que a induçäo ou aceleraçäo do trabalho de parto esteve muitas vezes presente (50%). Discute-se, também, a indicaçäo, tipo e complicaçäo desta intercorrência, sendo que rotura e atonia uterinas perfazem respectivamente 42,85% e 37,71%. Na maioria dos casos (57,14%) empregou-se a histerectomia subtotal como técnica de escolha. As complicaçöes do cirúrgico foram levantadas e observaram-se três óbitos como eventos máximos