Fermentation of Pulp Mill-derived Hemicellulose Extract to Ethanol

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

Who’s Involved?

My Research

Dilute hemicellulose extract has been successfully fermented to ethanol using the cofermenting E. coli KO11. To date titers of sugar and ethanol in the fermentation are low. Attempts at concentrating the sugars have resulted in the apparent concentration of inhibitory compounds that limit the fermentation, necessitating the use of dilute solutions. Work is progressing to identify the inhibitory compounds and to develop more robust cultures.

In Other Words

Waste materials that are normally burned in a furnace at pulp mills are being converted to ethanol, which is a clean burning fuel that can be used to power automobiles. The conversion of waste wood extract streams to ethanol is difficult because the wood extract contains compounds that are harmful to the organisms that produce the ethanol. Research is looking at ways to render the conversion process more robust.

What’s New on this Project?

Fermentation experiments have now demonstrated the conversion of hemicellulose extract to ethanol using E. coli KO11. The fermentation appears to be inhibited by the presence of other components of the extract. Work is currently underway to identify the inhibitory agents and to improve the viability of the culture in the growth medium.