Fermentation of sugarcane juice and blackstrap molasses by Zymomonas mobilise

Abstract

The batch fermentation of 10° Brix sugarcane juice and blackstrap molasses was accomplished by two strains of Z. mobilis. The substrates were desalted by filtration through cation resins to decrease their mineral content. The mineral concentration and chemical preservatives present inthe substrates did not inhibit the fermentation. Both strains produced fewer by-products when blackstrap molasses was used as substrate. Byproducts other than levan and sorbitol were identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography mass spectometry (GC/MS) analyses.