Ethanol from lignocellulosic feedstocks is not currently competitive with corn-based
ethanol in terms of yields and commercial feasibility. Through optimization of the
pretreatment and fermentation steps this could change. The overall goal of this study was
to evaluate, characterize, and optimize ethanol production from lignocellulosic feedstocks
by the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae (strain Ethanol Red, ER) and Pichia stipitis CBS
6054.