The two-step enzymatic hydrolysis of corn meal by commercially available a-amylase and glucoamylase and further ethanol fermentation of
the obtained hydrolyzates by Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast was studied. The conditions of starch hydrolysis such as substrate and enzyme
concentration and the time required for enzymatic action were optimized taking into account both the effects of hydrolysis and ethanol
fermentation. The corn meal hydrolyzates obtained were good substrates for ethanol fermentation by S. cerevisiae. The yield of ethanol of more
than 80% (w/w) of the theoretical was achieved with a satisfactory volumetric productivity P (g/l h). No shortage of fermentable sugars was
observed during simultaneous hydrolysis and fermentation. In this process, the savings in energy by carrying out the saccharification step at lower
temperature (32 8C) could be realized, as well as a reduction of the process time for 4 h.