Fermentation of Cassava Starch Hydrolysate with Immobilised Cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract Fermentation of cassava starch hydrolysate with immobilised cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Strain 2177) was carried out. Kieselguhr and brick powder were the substrates used for immobilisation of yeast cells. The pattern of fermentation was followed by the rate of fall in reducing sugar content and the cell growth. The results obtained showed that variations in the immobilised yeast cell preparations did not produce any effect on the rate of reduction of sugars during the fermentation. The final cell densities obtained after 48 h also did not depend on the initial immobilised cell concentration. However it was shown that fermentation could be completed in 48 h. It was also evident from the results that the cells were alive on the support used for immobilisation even after 4 cycles of fermentation.