The potential environmental benefits that can
be obtained from replacing petroleum fuels with biofuels
derived from renewable biomass sources are the main
driving forces for promoting the production and use of
biofuels. Due to depletion of fossil fuels, ethanol, which
can be obtained via the bioconversion of renewable feedstock,
is widely regarded as an efficient alternative for
gasoline as transportation fuel. Biomass energy can play an
important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Rice
bran is a by-product of milling process of rice, and due to
its carbohydrate contents, it may serve as good source for
bioethanol production. The present study deals with bioethanol
production from rice bran and screening of bioethanol-
producing bacteria from rice bran. In the screening
process, three fermentative bacteria were obtained; they
were studied on the basis of morphology, biochemical
characteristics and maximum bioethanol production. The
maximum bioethanol-producing bacteria was identified by
sequencing method. The bacteria thus identified as
Bacillus cereus
strain
McR-3 is a novel bacteria reported in bioethanol
production from rice bran substrate. Different parameters
like temperature and pH also affects the
production of bioethanol. It was observed that optimum
temperature and pH for maximum bioethanol production
was 37ºC and 5, respectively.