초록
<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>This work describes the co-fermentation to the simultaneous production of rhamnolipids and ethanol from exploded sugarcane bagasse (ESB) using <I>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</I>, <I>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</I> and crude enzyme complexes (CECs). The CECs were produced by Aspergillus niger in solid-state fermentation (SSF), using different levels of ESB, rice bran (RB) and corn cob (CC) as substrates. The best results for rhamnolipids (9.1 g/L, emulsification index of 84%, surface tension of 35 mN/m) and ethanol (8.4 g/L) were obtained after 86 h of fermentation of ESB (250 g/L, 30 °C), using CEC from SSF of ESB (20% wt/wt), RB (30% wt/wt) and water (50% wt/wt). It was also observed that the fermented bagasse had approximately the same calorific value of a bagasse in nature and could be used as a potential source of energy. These findings suggest that co-fermentation using <I>P. aeruginosa</I>, <I>S. cerevisiae</I> and ESB can be used in the successful co-production of rhamnolipids and ethanol, with the recovery of energy present in the fermented bagasse.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Exploded sugarcane bagasse was used for the simultaneous production of ethanol and rhamnolipids. </LI> <LI> The recovery of the energy presented in the fermented bagasse was significant. </LI> <LI> Fermented bagasse had approximately the same calorific value of bagasse. </LI> <LI> Ethanol, rhamnolipids and fermented bagasse can be used to attain a cost-competitive biorefinery. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>