Influence of an Alkaline Zeolite on the Carbon Flow in Anaerobiosis of Three Strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract

Abstract Nowadays ethanol is considered an alternative to liquid fossil fuels, as a product of fermentation of sugars by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other microorganisms. It is very important in the food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Prior studies show that the addition of certain amount of zeolite induces an increase in the ethanol/glucose yield. In this work, the effect of zeolite on the carbon flux of S. cerevisiae in different culture conditions is reported. An explanation for the effect of the zeolite on the yeast metabolism is offered. Results show a 20 % increase in yield, thus lowering production costs and improving the use of raw materials, which would increase the possibilities of using alcohol as biofuel.