Production of bioethanol by Solid State Fermentation using paddy straw as a substrate

Depletion of the fossil fuels, global warming alerts and threats are on the rise which leads to the want of alternative fuel sources. Alternative fuel sources like bioethanol and biodiesel should be able to not only fulfill the fuel requirements, but also be able to combat against global warming threats. The best alternative fuel sources are bioenergy in the form of bioethanol and biodiesel. A large amount of cellulose rich substances like paddy straw are generated in tones in India as agriculture wastes. This can be used in the production of bioethanol with the help of microbial catalytic enzyme, cellulase. Ethanol production using solid substrate anaerobic fermentation of paddy straw is attempted and steps are taken to increase the production ratio of ethanol: biomass. Trichoderma ressei (MTCC*164) was cultivated using solid substrate fermentation for 65 days and the crude extract was centrifuged, distilled and confirmed by gas chromatography for the presence of ethanol.