💡Toilet paper and most paper are made of cellulose, which is a chain of glucose sugar molecules.
🔑Cellulose can be broken down into glucose by enzymes called cellulase.
🌡️Cellulose can be pretreated with a dilute base to make it more accessible to cellulase.
🧪Enzymatic breakdown of cellulose is a cleaner and easier method than using chemicals.
🥃Solution of glucose can be fermented with brewer's yeast to produce alcohol.
Can any brand of toilet paper be used?
—Yes, almost any brand of toilet paper will work, but less densely packed ones are more efficient for enzyme attack.
What is the purpose of pretreating cellulose with a base?
—Pretreating cellulose with a base helps separate and chop up cellulose fibers, making them more accessible to enzymes.
Are cornstarch and maltodextrin broken down into glucose and turned into alcohol?
—No, cornstarch and maltodextrin are inert fillers and are not attacked by cellulase or fermented by yeast.
How long does the enzymatic breakdown of cellulose take?
—The process takes around 48 hours at a temperature slightly above 50°C.
What is the optimal pH for yeast fermentation?
—The optimal pH for yeast fermentation is around 5, which coincides with the pH for cellulase.
00:01The goal is to turn toilet paper into drinkable alcohol.
00:23Toilet paper is made of cellulose, a chain of glucose sugar molecules.
01:53Enzymatic breakdown is a cleaner and easier method to break down cellulose.
09:45Pretreating cellulose with a base helps access more cellulose fibers.
12:13Yeast is used to ferment the glucose solution into alcohol.
16:33The fermentation process takes about two weeks.
19:59Distillation is used to separate the alcohol from other impurities.
20:20Recycling processes are needed to remove solid impurities during distillation.
