The identification of Neurospora intermedia and its potential for bioconversion cellulose to ethanol

A wild-type Neurospora intermedia MB1 was identified and its potential for cellulose-ethanol fermentation using corncob as substrate was studied. Via comparing the morphological, physiological and biochemistry characteristic of the identified Neurospora MB1 with those of Neurospora genus, it shows that the Neurospora MB1 belongs to Neurospora genus. The Neurospora system evolution tree was constructed, and the phylogenetic relationships were determined by analyzing internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of 18S-28S rDNA Neurospora intermedia MBI. The results certify that the strain studied is Neurospora intermedia. It was found that Neurospora intermedia grows rapidly in corncob powder and glucose media; it only needs about 48 h for forming shape mycelia with ability of ethanol fermentation from spores' inoculation. Using 10 g·L^-1 corncob media, the direct transformations from cellulose to ethanol by Neurospora intermedia, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and simultaneous saccharification fermented by Neurospora intermedia and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were conducted and compared respectively. The results show that, when Neurospora intermedia direct fermentation is used (using 10 g·L^-1 corncob and other carbon resources from mycelia culture), the obtained ethanol concentration can be 4.37 g·L^-1, while when the Saccharomyces cerevisiae direct fermentation is used, the obtained ethanol concentration is only 0.18 g·L^-1. The obtained ethanol concentration can reach 5.53 g·L^-1 by simultaneous saccharification fermentation using Neurospora intermedia and Saccharomyces cerevisiae as strains. Therefore this simultaneous saccharification fermentation is more suitable for the production of cellulose-ethanol.