Simultaneous production of bioethanol and value-added d-psicose from Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) tubers

[Display omitted] Jerusalem artichoke contain high content of inulin. Inulin is able to simultaneously produce the bioethanol and d-psicose by enzymatic hydrolysis, sugar conversion and ethanol fermentation. •Jerusalem artichoke is a promising biomaterial for generating EtOH and d-psicose.•Oligofuctan in Jerusalem artichoke tuber hydrolyzed by enzymatic process.•d-Psicose and bioethanol was successfully separated and purified by pervaporation. In this study, the production of bioethanol and value added d-psicose from Jerusalem artichoke (JA) was attempted by an enzymatic method. An enzyme mixture used for hydrolysis of 100mgmL−1 JA. The resulting concentrations of released d-fructose and d-glucose were measured at approximately 56mgmL−1 and 15mgmL−1, respectively. The d-psicose was epimerized from the JA hydrolyzate, and the conversion rate was calculated to be 32.1%. The residual fructose was further converted into ethanol at 18.0gL−1 and the yield was approximately 72%. Bioethanol and d-psicose were separated by pervaporation. This is the first study to report simultaneous d-psicose production and bioethanol fermentation from JA.