Ethanol production via simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of sodium hydroxide treated corn stover using Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Gloeophyllum trabeum.

•Innovative coupling of mild alkaline pretreatment and fungal saccharification.•Ethanol production from corn stover without the addition of costly enzymes.•Improved ethanol production via cultivation of fungal and bacterial fermentation.•Ethanol production more sustainable on fungal pretreated and cultivated corn stover.