Beyond <i>Saccharomyces</i>: Exploring the Bioethanol Potential of <i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i> and <i>Diutina rugosa</i> in Xylose and Glucose Co-Fermentation

Beyond <i>Saccharomyces</i>: Exploring the Bioethanol Potential of <i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i> and <i>Diutina rugosa</i> in Xylose and Glucose Co-Fermentation

Efficient co-fermentation of glucose and xylose remains a critical hurdle in second-generation bioethanol production. In this study, we evaluated two non-<i>Saccharomyces</i> yeasts—<i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i> UEMG-LF-Y2 and <i>Diutina rugosa</i> UEMG-LF-Y4—un...

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Main Authors: Arthur Gasetta Batista, Marcus Vinicius Astolfo da Costa, Marita Vedovelli Cardozo, Sarah Regina Vargas, Marita Gimenez Pereira, Vinícius de Abreu D’Ávila, Janerson José Coelho, Caio Roberto Soares Bragança
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Fermentation
Subjects:
non-<i>Saccharomyces</i> yeasts
catabolite repression
co-fermentation
lignocellulosic ethanol
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5637/11/4/204
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Summary:Efficient co-fermentation of glucose and xylose remains a critical hurdle in second-generation bioethanol production. In this study, we evaluated two non-<i>Saccharomyces</i> yeasts—<i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i> UEMG-LF-Y2 and <i>Diutina rugosa</i> UEMG-LF-Y4—under mixed-sugar conditions. <i>D. rugosa</i> exhibited superior xylose metabolism and ethanol productivity, achieving a maximum volumetric productivity (Q<sub>P</sub>) of 0.55 g/L·h in a medium containing 20 g/L glucose and 40 g/L xylose. Its highest ethanol yield (Y<sub>P/S</sub>) reached 0.45 g EtOH/g sugar, comparable to results from engineered <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> strains. By contrast, <i>W. anomalus</i> displayed lower ethanol yields (0.24–0.34 g/g) and greater sensitivity to catabolite repression induced by 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG). Xylose consumption by <i>D. rugosa</i> exceeded 80% in high-xylose media, while <i>W. anomalus</i> left residual xylose under all tested conditions. A strong inverse correlation (r < −0.98) between ethanol accumulation and xylose uptake was observed, especially for <i>W. anomalus</i>, indicating ethanol-induced inhibition as a key challenge. These findings highlight the potential of <i>D. rugosa</i> as a robust non-<i>Saccharomyces</i> platform for lignocellulosic bioethanol processes, whereas <i>W. anomalus</i> may benefit from further metabolic or process optimizations. Future research should address ethanol tolerance, inhibitory byproducts, and large-scale feasibility to fully exploit these strains for second-generation bioethanol production.
ISSN:2311-5637

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