Studies on alcoholic fermentation from sugar industry by product molasses exposed to ephedrine

The efficacy of ephedrine on microbial bioconversion of molasses to ethanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae J-16 has been assessed. It has been found that the alkaloid under observation, i.e., ephedrine at 5 ×10-5M molar concentration enhances the microbial bioconversion of molasses to ethanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae J-16 to an extent of 18.9368% higher in comparison to control fermentor flasks, i.e., 6.02 ml/100mL in 55 hrs of incubation period, 5.1 pH and 30.50C temperature with 25% (w/v) molasses solution.