Co-production of xylitol and ethanol by the fermentation of the lignocellulosic hydrolysates of banana and water hyacinth leaves by individual yeast strains

This study was aimed to understand the feasibility of banana and water hyacinth leaves and also applicable technology for xylitol along with the integrated production of bioethanol. The cellulosic fraction and hemicellulosic sugars from the individual agro-wastes were obtained separately by acid treatment. The hydrolysate obtained by enzymatic saccharification of cellulosic fraction of individual agro-waste were fermented to ethanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, whereas the detoxified hemicellulosic sugars to xylitol by un-adapted, adapted and immobilized cells of Candida tropicalis The maximum ethanol produced was 6.18 and 8.1 g L-1 utilizing enzymatic hydrolysates of water hyacinth and banana leaves respectively. However, maximum xylitol was produced by immobilized cells of adapted Candida tropicalis utilizing detoxified acid hydrolysate of water hyacinth and banana leaves: 13.1 and 11.2 g L-1 respectively, followed by the free cells. Hence utilization of these agro-wastes for the purpose allows the agricultural waste management and also finds applications in industries favoring co-production of xylitol and ethanol.