Application of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) technique for the conversion of agricultural wastes to bio-ethanol would result in a more cost-effective process. Peracetic acid (PAA) pretreated various lignocellulosic substrates like sugarcane bagasse, rice straw and corn cobs were examined with solka floc as reference in SSF experiments for the production of bio-ethanol using Asperigillus niger crude cellulase, Cladosporium sp. crude CMCase (Carboxy Methyl Cellulase) and yeast cells. Fermentation temperature was selected as 40 and 43
ฐC for Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCIM 3215 and Saccharomyces bayanus respectively. Further SSF experiments were compared for ethanol production. The S. bayanus was found to perform better and faster fermentation in the SSF process and yielded higher bio-ethanol in pretreated bagasse just after 48 h (17.03% w/v) than the S. cerevisiae that gave high yields of bio-ethanol only after 72 h (13.44% w/v). Increased bio-ethanol yields were obtained when the cellulase was supplemented with CMCase of Cladosporium sp. The cell viability was lower in S. bayanus compared with S. cerevisiae. The bio-ethanol yields of the fermented substrates were in the following order: Solka floc