Zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized using Fusarium oxysporum to enhance bioethanol production from rice-straw

The present study emphasized on ethanol production using biologically synthesized ZnO nanoparticles as a catalyst. Fusarium oxysporum has been shown to have a high zinc metal tolerance ability and a potential for extracellular synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles. The purity and quality of synthesized nanoparticles were confirmed by various characterization methods such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM, TGA and DTA analysis. Primarily, for bioethanol production the rice straw was subjected to delignification by ammonia. Enzymes required for further degradation of lignocellulosic biomass of rice straw into monosaccharide sugars was produced using fungus Fusarium oxysporum. These sugars were then converted into ethanol via fermentation under micro-aerobic conditions. Ethanol yield was enhanced by using zinc oxide nanoparticles in certain concentration range during fermentation. Maximum ethanol yield of 0.0359 g/g of dry weight based plant biomass was obtained at 200 mg/L concentration of ZnO nanoparticles. Here, we summarizes the synthesis and recent advances of ZnO nanoparticles in bioethanol production which in turn will be used in various industrial applications, pharmaceutical sector and also as a bio-fuel.