Modulatory effect of maleic hydrazide (MH) in fermentative bioethanol production by microorganisms

Maleic hydrazine (MH) is a plant growth regulator and mild mutagens. In microbial biotechnology, it may be used to modulate metabolic pathways, possibly affecting bioethanol yield. It has also been investigated in fermentation technology due to its chemical and biochemical activities. Maleic hydrazide can be a useful biotechnological tool in bioethanol fermentation. In the present communication modulatory effect of maleic hydrazide in fermentation bioethanol production by microorganisms viz. Thermoanaerobacter mathereanii ARC-1603, T. pentosaceus ARC1605, Zymomonas mobilis ARC-1606 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae ARC-1607 has been assessed. It has been found that the microbial strain of S. cerevisiae ARC-1607 is most successful and significant bioethanol producer. It has been observed that maleic hydrazide has stimulatory effect on bioethanol production and enhances the yield of bioethanol to an extent of 28.243% higer in comparison to control when 23.5% (w/v) molasses solution is allowed to ferment for 60 hour of optimum incubation period, 4.8 pH, and 34.50C temperature along with some other nutritional ingredients required by the fungal strain under trial.