Process of Producing Ethanol Using Starch with Enzymes Generated Through Solid State Culture

1 . A composition comprising the Aspergillus phoenicis strain deposited as NRRL 50090.

2 . The composition according to claim 1 , further comprising a solid state substrate.

3 . The composition according to claim 2 , wherein said substrate comprises barley.

4 . An enzyme composition comprising an alpha amylase derived from the Aspergillus phoenicis strain deposited as NRRL 50090.

5 . The enzyme composition according to claim 4 , further comprising a glucoamylase and a beta glucanase.

6 . A method for adapting a fungus to produce amylase that is optimal to hydrolyze starch at a low pH, comprising:

(a) inoculating a parent fungus strain in a culture medium having a first pH value;

(b) selecting a first progeny strain that is adapted for growth at said first pH value;

(c) inoculating said first progeny strain in a culture medium having a second pH value, wherein said second pH value is lower than said first pH value;

(d) selecting a second progeny strain that is adapted for growth at said second pH value;

(e) optionally repeating steps (c) and (d) till said second pH value is a final pH value; and

(f) determining if the strain obtained in step (e) is capable of producing an enzyme composition that will hydrolyze starch at a pH lower than 5.

7 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein said final pH value is about 3.6.

8 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein said first pH value is about 6.

9 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein said second pH value is 0.5 lower than said first pH value.

10 . A method of making an enzyme composition, comprising:

(a) providing a solid state substrate;

(b) growing the Aspergillus phoenicis strain deposited as NRRL 50090 on said substrate for a first period of time in a growth chamber to produce an enzyme composition.

11 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein said substrate comprises barley.

12 . The method according to claim 10 , further comprising harvesting said enzyme composition.

13 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein said substrate has undergone heat treatment.

14 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein said heat treatment is steaming.

15 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein said steaming is conducted at ambient pressure.

16 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein said substrate has undergone radiation treatment.

17 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein said radiation treatment is gamma ray treatment.

18 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein said first period of time is four days.

19 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein said enzyme composition comprises an alpha amylase, a glucoamylase, and a beta glucanase.

20 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein said growing step comprises supplying a gas selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and carbon dioxide to the atmosphere of said growth chamber.

21 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein said substrate further comprises NH 4 H 2 PO 4 . Urea, and H 2 SO 4 .

22 . A method of producing ethanol, comprising:

(1) providing a mash that is adjusted to about pH 3.5 to 4.0;

(2) mixing said mash with (i) an enzyme composition produced with the Aspergillus phoenicis strain deposited as NRRL 50090, and (ii) a yeast; and

(3) incubating for a period of fermentation time under a temperature between 20 to 40° C. to produce ethanol.

23 . The method according to claim 22 , wherein said method further comprises collecting said ethanol.

24 . The method according to claim 23 , further comprises distilling said ethanol.

25 . The method according to claim 22 , wherein said mash has up to 40% (w/w) solid.

26 . The method according to claim 22 , wherein said fermentation time is from 26 to 72 hours.

27 . The method according to claim 22 , wherein said temperature is about 35° C.

28 . The method according to claim 22 , wherein said mash is un-gelatinized.

29 . The method according to claim 22 , wherein said mash is gelatinized.

30 . The method according to claim 22 , wherein said ethanol produced is less than 15% (w/w).