Isolation of Yeasts from Raisins and Palm-Juice and Ethanol Production in Molasses Medium

Background/Objectives: The alternative fuels are expected to satisfy the progressive demand for energy on the wake of the negative effects of fossil fuel on the atmosphere and resultant universal warming. In this study two ethanol fermenting Saccharomyces cerevisae were isolated from Palm juice and Raisins. Method/Statistical Analysis: Both isolates were grown in Yeast extract Peptone Dextrose (YEPD) medium and characterized for alcoholic fermentation using molasses medium and optimized for pH, thermo-, osmo-, ethanol tolerance and sugar concentration. Findings: Results showed for ethanol fermentation, 31°C temperature, 6.01 pH and 6.50% sugar concentration is the prime condition. Raisin-isolate emerged as highly thermophilic and stress tolerant in nature. Under optimized conditions, S. cerevisae isolated from Palm-juice produced 9.85% of ethanol in the medium. Application/Improvements: Creation of ethanol through fermentation appears to be a potential other fossil fuel and can be used as exclusive fuel in vehicles with dedicated engines or in fuel blends.