Direct conversion of cellulose/hemicellulose to ethanol by Neurospora crassa

Abstract The optimization of fermentation conditions for Neurospora crassa resulted in yields of 5.5 and 10 g l −1 of ethanol from 1% Avicel and 2% alkali-treated cellulose powder corresponding to 100 and 90% conversion, respectively, in 4 days . N. crassa also has the ability to ferment d -mannose, d -galactose, d -xylose and d -arabinose to ethanol. The direct fermentation of d -xylan, gum arabic and treated bagasse yielded from 60 to 90% conversion of cellulose to ethanol .