Optimization of fermentation medium for the production of ethanol from jaggery using box-behnken design.

ABSTRACT

The production of ethyl alcohol using Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCIM 3288 was found significant when jaggery is used as the carbon source. From the various physical parameters studied, the effect substrate concentration was found to play a key role, and the other two important chemical supplements tested, i.e., Nitrogen and phosphorus sources were also found to be significantly contributing to product concentration. A response surface analysis predicted a substrate concentration of 23.56 % (w/v), (NH4)2SO4- 2.612 g/l and KH2PO4- 3.407g/l as the optimal conditions keeping the rest of the rest of the physical parameters at their optimal conditions as obtained from the preliminary studies. A maximum ethanol concentration of 6.15%(w/v) was obtained at the end of third day of fermentation.