Isolation of Thermotolerant Yeast for Bioethanol Production
The work explores the potential for the development of orange peel-based ethanol bioprocesses through isolation of the thermotolerant Pichia kudriavzevii KVMP10. A model solution of hydrolyzed Valencia orange peel has been employed to determine the ethanologenic potential of the yeast, which was maximized at 42oC. The isolated strain is a superior ethanol producer compared to common industrial microorganisms at elevated temperatures and it is capable of utilizing both hexoses and pentoses, demonstrating its great potential for application in orange peel-based biorefineries for ethanol production. We are collaborating with Dr. Vyrides in the specific project.