NAVEEN KUMAR KUDURE JAYANNA, SANTOSH KUMAR SHIMOGA RAJANNA, SACHIN SOMASHEKHAR NAYAKA, AJITH SHESHAGIRI, RAVI KUMAR SHIVA KUMAR AND THIPPESWAMY BASAIAH
Abstract
Pretreatment is a crucial step in the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fermentable sugars and biofuels. Compared to thermal/chemical pretreatment, fungal pretreatment reduces the recalcitrance of lignocellulosic biomass by lignin-degrading microorganisms and thus potentially provides an environment friendly and energy-efficient pretreatment technology for biofuel production. This paper provides an overview of the current state of fungal pretreatment by cellulolytic fungi for biofuel production. It increases the enzymatic hydrolysis and ethanol production through combinations of fungal pretreatment. Pichia stipitis NCIM 3498 showed maximum ethanol production after fermentation from areca nut husk, followed by Zymomonas mobilis NCIM 2915, Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCIM 3095 and Candida shehatae NCIM 3500. Hence, fungal pretreatment by cellulolytic fungi was more effective for ethanol production. Areca nut husk was revealed as a suitable substrate for ethanol production.