An improved enzymatic pre-hydrolysis strategy for efficient bioconversion of industrial pulp and paper sludge waste to bioethanol using a semi-simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process

The current study investigated an integrated fermentation process for efficient conversion of pulp and paper sludge (PPS) material to bio-ethanol. To achieve maximum yield of reducing sugar from the pretreated PPS, most influencing parameters such as enzyme dosages, surfactant dosages on PPS loadings were optimized in a batch saccharification process using response surface methodology. The experimental validation studies under optimal conditions of 6% (w/w) solid loading condition, 0.16 % (w/w) of surfactant concentration and 158 FPU/gm of enzyme 2 loading resulted in a maximum reducing sugar yield of 45 ± 3.75 % (w/w). Separate batch saccharification studies were conducted with 4% to 7% (w/w) solid loading to formulate best operating conditions for fed-batch saccharification with 13% (w/w), 18% (w/w) and 22% (w/w) high solid loading. The PPS solid loading of 18% (w/w) in fed-batch saccharification resulted in maximal release of glucose and xylose of 79.56 g/L and 8.65 g/L respectively at 60 h. Further improvement in the conversion of PPS to bioethanol was established through adoption of fed batch semi-simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (S-SSCF) process. Fermentation using co-cultivation of two yeast species namely P. stipitis NCIM 3499 and Baker’s yeast resulted in maximum ethanol concentration of 42.34 g/L with 0.53 g/g yield from 18 % (w/w) solid loading. Thus, the current study demonstrated the potential application of PPS waste as a feedstock material for ethanol production, which can be adopted by industries as an environment-friendly alternative to common solid waste management.