Preparation of Microbial Metabolites from Waste Materials

In this thesis the use of waste materials for the microbial production of important metabolites is reported. The first part is focused on the use of waste paper (a lignocellulosic material) as a non-traditional source for the production of bioethanol. The second part is focused on the immobilization of cellulolytic enzymes, which are used for the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials. First, the waste paper (cardboard) was pre-treated using a blender and a vibratory mill. The pre-treated cardboard was used for the production of ethanol by the method of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation. This method was optimized with free cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Then strains suitable for the immobilization were selected. Strains of S. cerevisiae and Pichia kudriavzevii were immobilized by encapsulation into the polyvinyl alcohol carrier and tested again for the ethanol production by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation. In the second part of the work a carrier from waste polyethylene terephthalate bottles was prepared and used for the immobilization of the cellulolytic complex. The basic characteristics were determined, such as optimal pH and optimal temperature, storage, operational and thermal stability, enzyme kinetics and the mode of action of the enzyme. Compared to two other commercial carriers this carrier showed to be suitable for the immobilization of the cellulolytic complex