Biodegradation and delignification of sugar cane bagasse of pulp and paper mill effluent by Cryptococcus albidus for production of bioethanol

The study aims to extend the range of resources from which ethanol may be made from sugar cane bagasse which is used primarily for preparation of pulp and paper. Seven fungal strains isolated from sediment and degraded wood of pulp and paper mill effluent in which one strain identified by 18S rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) as Cryptococcus albidus had higher decolourization and delignification potency. The production of sugar by Cryptococcus albidus was increased (1.5 fold) in presence of sugarcane bagasse after optimization of process parameters by Taguchi approach. The sugar cane bagasse treated initially by fungus (saccharification) subsequently treated by Saccharomyces cerevisiae indicated production of ethanol (38.4g/L). However, an increase in 1.82 fold (70.0g/L) ethanol was measured after optimization of fermentation process by Taguchi approach where carbon (2%), nitrogen (0.24%), phosphate (0.24%) temperature (35°C), stirring (150) and pH (5.5) were used, indicated use of sugarcane bagasse of pulp and paper mill effluent for production of ethanol.