Plasmid-mediate transfer of FLO1 into industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae PE-2 strain creates a strain useful for repeat-batch fermentations involving flocculation-sedimentation

► Flocculation was introduced into the industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae PE-2 strain. ► The modified strain kept parental fermentation performance. ► The recombinant strain was applied to a repeated-batch system in an airlift reactor. ► Flocculation was efficiently applied for biomass recycling by cell sedimentation. ► An average of 142 g/L ethanol was produced during a succession of 10 batches.