Probiotic bacteria for yeast bioethanol production

Abstract

The present invention is directed to compositions comprising hydrolase-secreting bacteria and fermenting microorganisms and use thereof, such as for fermentative production of ethanol.

1 . A composition comprising at least one hydrolase-secreting bacteria and at least one fermenting microorganism, in a ratio ranging from 1:1-1:1000. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrolase-secreting bacteria is present in a ratio ranging from 1×10 3 -1×10 9  CFU/ml, and the at least one fermenting microorganism is present in a ratio ranging from 1×10 6 -1×10 9  CFU/ml. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said hydrolase-secreting bacteria is an amylase-secreting bacterium, a protease-secreting bacteria, a cellulase-secreting bacteria and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said bacteria has a pH-regulating property in the range of 3.5 to 7. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said bacteria maintains the secretion of any one of amylase, protease and cellulase, and combinations thereof, in a solution having a pH in the range of 3.5 to 7. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said bacteria has an antimicrobial activity. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising bacteria having an antimicrobial activity. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an enzyme preparation. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein growth of said hydrolase-secreting bacteria is inhibited when exposed to ethanol at a concentration of more than 7% (V/V). 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition increases concertation of ethanol production by at least 0.1% (V/V). 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein anyone of (i) said hydrolase-secreting bacteria is selected from the genera  Bacillus, Pseudomonas  or a combination thereof; and (ii) said fermenting microorganism is selected from  Saccharomyces, Pichia  or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A kit comprising at least one bacteria and at least one fermenting microorganism wherein the at least one bacteria is a hydrolase-secreting bacteria. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A fermentation method comprising: providing a composition comprising (i) at least one hydrolase-secreting bacteria, (ii) at least one fermenting microorganism, and (iii) a biomass containing fermentable carbon source, and maintaining the composition under fermentable conditions suitable for producing at least one product alcohol. 
     
     
         20 . The fermentation method of  claim 19 , having at least 0.1% (V/V) increase in the concentration or the rate of bioethanol production. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the pH of said fermentation method is substantially maintained in the range of 3.5 to 7. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said providing is providing the hydrolase-secreting bacteria and the at least one fermenting microorganism in a ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:1000. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said providing is providing the hydrolase-secreting bacteria in a ratio ranging from 1×10 3 -1×10 9  CFU/ml, and the at least one fermenting microorganism in a ratio ranging from 1×10 6 -1×10 9  CFU/ml. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one bacteria is an amylase-secreting bacteria, a protease-secreting bacteria, a cellulase-secreting bacteria, anti-microbial bacteria and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein any one of: (i) said bacteria maintains the secretion of any one of amylase, protease and cellulase, and combinations thereof, in a solution having a pH in the range of 3.5 to 7, (ii) said bacteria has an antimicrobial activity, and (iii) growth of said hydrolase-secreting bacteria is inhibited when exposed to ethanol at a concentration of more than 7% (V/V). 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising providing to the composition any one of (i) a bacteria having an antimicrobial activity; and (ii) an enzyme preparation. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled)