In this study, the hydrolysis efficiency of corncob-based
cellulosic material can be substantial improved with the
technology we developed by culturing of the cellulaseproducing
Streptomyces sp. T3-1. The amount of total reducing
sugars and concentration of glucose in the hydrolysate
increased significantly as a result. In search of an economic
way for producing ethanol from cellulosic substrate, the
microbial hydrolysis shown in our study has been demonstrated
to be not only an excellent alternative to commercial
cellulase hydrolysis, but also a feasible and economical
process for the future scale-up production of bioethanol. In
order to reduce the total process time for both hydrolysis of
cellulosic substrate and fermentation of hydrolysate to
ethanol, simultaneous saccharification and fermentation
(SSF) may meet the requirement. Further work should be
focused on optimization of the co-culture of Streptomyces sp.
and yeast strain to make the process economically feasible.