Fermentation of biomass hydrolyzates
The classic configuration employed for fermenting biomass
hydrolyzates involves a sequential process where the
hydrolysis of cellulose and the fermentation are carried
out in different units. This configuration is known as separate
hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF). In the alternative
variant, the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation
(SSF), the hydrolysis and fermentation are performed
in a single unit. The most employed microorganism for fermenting
lignocellulosic hydrolyzates is S. cerevisiae, which
ferments the hexoses contained in the hydrolyzate but not
the pentoses.