Ethanol, fermentation cost impact

When perfected, synthesis-gas-to-ethanol technology can be expected to have a large impact on fermentation ethanol markets. It is likely that thermochemical ethanol would then be manufactured at production costs in the same range as methanol from synthesis gas, which can be produced by gasification of virtually any fossil or biomass feedstock. Applying the advances that have been made for conversion of lignocellulosic feedstocks via enzymatically catalyzed options, it has been estimated that the production cost of fermentation ethanol... 

Figure 9.14 Potential targets for wine yeast strain development. The primary role of wine yeast is to conduct the alcoholic fermentation during which grape sugars (mainly glucose and fructose) are converted into ethanol, carbon dioxide and other minor, but important, metabolites. The main emphasis in strain development programmes is on the development of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with improved fermentation, processing and biopreservation abilities, and the capacity to enhance the wholesomeness and sensory quality of wine. It is hoped that such genetically improved yeast strains could enhance cost-effective production of wine with minimised resource inputs, improved quality and low environmental impact. Adapted from Pretorius (2000).

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