EVERY DEGREE

COUNTS
Temperature is key to fermentation success

Yeast face a number of synergistic stress factors in ethanol

production (Figure 1). Maintaining an ideal temperature Physico-chemical stress on distiller’s yeast
range during the fermentation process is a difficult task that
all ethanol plant operators face, especially in the hotter Inhibitors
months (Figure 2). The optimum temperature range for (phenols, furfural, etc.) Dehydration/
rehydration
yeast fermentation is between 90˚F-95˚F (32˚C-35˚C). Every Mechanical shear, pH <3-4
degree above this range depresses fermentation. hydrostatic pressure
Sodium ion
Anaerobiosis >500 mg/L

While elevated temperature is problematic in all phases of Nutrient starvation

ethanol production, it is specifically hazardous during the (FAN < 150 mg/L, Sulphite
low Zn/Mg)
later stages of fermentation. As ethanol accumulates, the >100 mg/L
Osmostress
optimum temperature range to maximize ethanol growth (sugar ~30% w/v)
becomes more narrow (Figure 3). Higher temperatures also
Ethanol
increase yeast sensitivity to lactic and acetic acids, which ~15% v/v & CO 2
causes lower ethanol yields.
Temperature
>95˚F (35˚C) Acetic acid (>0.05% w/v)
Yeast can usually tolerate short-term fluctuations in also cold shocks Lactic acid (>0.8% w/v)

temperature. However, operating above ideal temperatures Figure 1: Ethanol plant operators must monitor these stress factors through all
for longer stretches of time can significantly reduce ethanol phases of fermentation or production can be compromised.
yield.

110 44 30%
Target Temp
Yeast Death at 98.6˚F (37˚F)
Actual Temp
Fermentation Temp (deg C)

105 25%
Fermentation Temp (deg F)

41
(% Viability loss/hr)

100 38 20%
Cell Death Rate

95 35 15%

90 32 10%

85 29 5%

80 27 0%
0 20 40 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Fermentation Time (Hrs) Ethanol Concentration (w/v%)

Figure 2: Some production facilities may have trouble controlling Figure 3: Temperature becomes critical in later fermentation
temperature during hotter months. stages where ethanol concentration totals are higher.

The effects of high temperature spikes on If significant temperature deviations are expected,
fermentation performance may vary greatly actions can be taken to minimize impacts. These
depending on multiple parameters: include:
• The time in the fermentation process the • Increase yeast dose
temperature change occurs • Increase nitrogen addition
• The duration of the temperature spike • Increase exogenous glucoamylase (GA) dose
• The amount of yeast pitched • Decrease fermentor solids
• The yeast nutrition being used
 Robust at high temperatures
TRANSFERM® Yield+ is a game-changing new yeast that has demonstrated consistent performance at higher temperatures. An
advanced strain of Saccharomyces cerevisae, TRANSFERM Yield+ has shown:
• Up to 4% yield gains in ethanol
• Reduction in glycerol of 30%
• Reduction in separately purchased GA enzyme

0.5 Glucose Yeast makes glycerol for two reasons:

1. To respond to high sugar levels and temperatures required in the ethanol fermentation
ATP process
2. To balance internal yeast metabolism (redox potential) by using glycerol as an
dihydroxyacetone
phosphate
electron acceptor
Mascoma scientists incorporated a metabolic pathway in TRANSFERM Yield+ that reduces glycerol
GPD 1
GPD 2
NADH production and increases ethanol production.
Although TRANSFERM Yield+ is bioengineered to generate less glycerol in ideal conditions, it still produces
“stress glycerol” in stressful conditions. This means that TRANSFERM Yield+ maintains a thermal robustness
profile that is as good as or better than conventional yeast strains when in high-temperature scenarios.
Glycerol

Fuel Ethanol/Solids (60 Hours)

0.4160
Normal Temp
High Temp 0.4140
105 41
0.4120 TRANSFERM Yield+ was evaluated against
Fermentation Temp (deg C)
Fermentation Temp (deg F)

2.26%
100 38
0.4100 Difference conventional yeast under a high temperature profile
95 35 0.4080 in pilot plant scale (7500 gal fermentation) (Figure 4).
90 32 0.4060
After 60 hours TRANSFERM Yield+ finished with 2.26%
0.4040
more ethanol than the conventional yeast.
85 29

0.4020
80 27
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
0.4000
Fermentation Time (Hrs)
Conventional TRANSFERM Yield+
yeast
Figure 4: Results of a pilot scale
test with high temperature Treatment
profile.
Conventional
TRANSFERM Yield+
Yeast
Normal Temp
13.4
During a temperature stress test in a 110 105
High Temp
41 13.3
million gallon per year (MGY) facility
Fermentation Temp (deg C)
Fermentation Temp (deg F)

EtOH at Drop (%w/v)

100 38 13.2
(Figure 5), both TRANSFERM Yield+ and 95˚F, 96˚F
or 97˚F 13.1
the conventional yeast decreased in 95 35
13
performance as temperatures rose. But 90 32
12.9
TRANSFERM Yield+ continued to 85 29
12.8
outperform conventional yeast through 80 27 12.7
all temperature profiles studied. 0 10 20 30 40 50
Fermentation Time (Hrs)
60
12.6

12.5
Figure 5: Results of a test Normal High - 95˚F High - 96˚F High - 97˚F
of 3 high temperature Temperature Profile
profiles in a 110 MGY facility. High temp profiles with varied maximum temperature

TRANSFERM Yield+ sets a new standard for fermentation efficiency in fuel ethanol production. Talk to your
Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits or Mascoma Representative to learn more about TRANSFERM Yield+.

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©2013. TRANSFERM is a registered trademark of Mascoma Corporation and Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits.