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Dynamic bacterial and fungal microbiomes during sweet sorghum ensiling impact bioethanol production

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Nicolas Tsesmetzis

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Abstract

© 2018 The Author(s). Significant low-cost biofuel production volumes could be achieved from commercial-scale silage by redirecting lactic acid fermentation to ethanol production. A temporal metagenomic analysis on ensiled sweet sorghum inoculated with an ethanologenic yeast has been conducted to understand the underlying microbial processes during bioethanol production. Individual silage buckets approximating silage piles were prepared with freshly harvested material and supplemented with ethanologenic yeast, sulfuric acid or both. The ensiling progress was assessed using high performance liquid chromatography, microbial taxonomic identification and abundance. The combined treatment with Saccharomyces and acid led to a steady reduction of bacterial abundance and microbial diversity with Lactobacillus becoming the dominant genus during the late timepoints. Furthermore, the addition of acid to inhibit bacterial growth hindered Saccharomyces ability to compete with native yeasts like Candida. Knowledge of the response of the in-situ microbial community to the various treatments during ensiling will help improve current methodologies for bioethanol production.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Gallagher D, Parker D, Allen DJ, Tsesmetzis N

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Bioresource Technology

Year: 2018

Volume: 264

Pages: 163-173

Print publication date: 01/09/2018

Online publication date: 26/05/2018

Acceptance date: 12/05/2018

ISSN (print): 0960-8524

ISSN (electronic): 1873-2976

Publisher: Elsevier Ltd

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2018.05.053

DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.05.053

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