Ethanol production from wheat straw by recombinant Escherichia coli strain FBR5 at high solid loading

► Yield of total sugars from wheat straw (150 g/L) is 86 g/L. ► Recombinant Escherichia coli FBR5 produces ethanol at pH 7.0 from un-detoxified wheat straw. ► SSF offers distinct advantage over SHF (reduces total time and enzyme dose). ► First report of above 4% ethanol production from lignocellulose by the strain.