title: Fermentation of Insoluble Cellulose by Continuous Cultures of Ruminococcus albus.
abstract: The hydrolysis and fermentation of insoluble cellulose (Avicel) by continuous cultures of Ruminococcus albus 7 was studied. An anaerobic continuous culture apparatus was designed which permitted gas collection, continuous feeding, and wasting at different retention times. The operation of the apparatus was controlled by a personal computer. Cellulose destruction ranged from ca. 30 to 70% for hydraulic retention times of 0.5 to 2.0 days. Carbon recovery in products was 92 to 97%, and the oxidation-reduction ratios ranged from 0.91 to 1.15. The total product yield (biomass not included) per gram of cellulose (expressed as glucose) was 0.83 g g, and the ethanol yield was 0.41 g g. The product yield was constant, indicating that product formation was growth linked.
authors.affiliation: Wadsworth Center for Laboratories and Research, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York 12201-0509.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Pavlostathis
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wolin