Abstract Traditional fermented beverages can be a potential source for industrial microorganisms. Among alternative energy sources, biofuel has been gaining increasing attention as a replacement for fossil fuels. This study aimed to investigate improved bioethanol production under optimal conditions using yeast strains isolated from a local beverage (areke) and sugar beet juice as substrates. In the current study, four wild yeast strains capable of withstanding multiple stresses were isolated from areke. Fresh sugar beets were gathered from a local supplier in Debre Markos town, and the physicochemical characterization of the sugar beet juice was determined using standard methods. Ethanol production was optimized using four selected Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, namely, MUA1F (OR209275.1), MUA3F (OR209274.1), MUA11F (OR209277.1), and MUA15F (OR209276.1) using sugar beet juice as substrates. Initial pH 4.5, 20 °Brix, 30°C, 4.0 g/l NH4SO4, yeast extract as a supplement, and 72 hours of incubation were optimal for enhancing ethanol production. Ammonium sulfate at 4.0 g/l, 12.49 ± 0.22% v/v ethanol was produced under these optimal circumstances. These findings suggest that Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates MUA3F and MUA15F should be further assessed, improved, and optimized for industrial bioethanol production due to their potential for fermentation.
Mulugeta Fentahun (Thu,) studied this question.