Potential utilisation of aquatic weeds for the production of alcohol

Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University,

Thirumalaisamudram, Thanjavur-613 402, Tamilnadu, India

Department of Chemistry, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Alwarkuruchi-627 412, Tamilnadu, India

Manuscript received 28 August 2007, revised 7 February 2008, accepted 27 March 2008

The rhizomes of Typha angustata, Cyprus exaltatus, aquatics weeds which are rich in carbohydmtes were processed to generate the fermentable sugars. The fermentable starch hydrolysates were used as fermentation substrates for the yeast Saccaramyces cereviceae. The optimum conditions for the survival, growth and fermentation of the yeast Saccaramyces cereviceae with the selected substrates was evaluated.

Alcohol was produced on a pilot scale by fermentation using these two substrates.