AGROINDUSTRIAL WASTE: SUPPLEMENTED VINEYARD AS A PROMISING SOURCE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MICROORGANISMS

Abstract

The use of biomass as an energy source has increased, especially with the rise in global biofuel production. Brazil has established itself as one of the main producers, especially in ethanol production. However, this growth has also resulted in the generation of larger volumes of waste, such as vinasse, a liquid effluent with a high concentration of organic matter, acidity, and potential pollution, which can negatively impact ecosystems if not properly managed. Among the alternatives for treating this effluent, biotransformation stands out, using microorganisms capable of processing and transforming waste. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae stands out for its metabolic versatility, being widely applied in these processes. This study evaluated the use of supplemented vinasse as a growth substrate for yeast, comparing its performance in unsupplemented media and in media supplemented with carbon and nitrogen sources, such as peptone, distillers dried grains (DDG), and molasses. The yeast was inoculated into supplemented vinasse and cultured at 30°C. Viability was monitored using methylene blue dye and Neubauer chamber counting, and analyzed by microscope. The results show that the supplemented vinasse was able to maintain the cell viability rate, with the treatments with DDG and molasses showing marked and effective viability. Vinasse supplemented with molasses and distillers' dried grains can optimize and promote microbial biomass production. It is worth noting that the search for new technologies for the reuse of vinasse allows for adding value to the waste, strengthening the circular economy.