4. Conclusion
A novel immobilization method ofS. cerevisiae in luffa matrix
for ethanol production was investigated. In this method, no pre-treatment was required, and cell immobilization could be achieved
by simply adding the cell suspension to the sponge discs. The
immobilized cells were physiologically active for three more cycles
of fermentation, with less than 5% reduction in ethanol production
from mahula flowers. Also in comparison with the commercially
available synthetic immobilization carriers, the use of luffa sponge
will not lead to any additional technical problems during scale up
process.
Acknowledgment
The authors are thankful to UGC [(Letter F. No. 32-573/
2006(SR), dated 17.07.07], New Delhi for financial support to car-ryout this work.