A novel extractive fermentation process for propionic acid production from whey lactose

Journal Article · · Biotechnology Progress; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/bp00014a003· OSTI ID:5039395

Lewis, V P; Yang, Shangtian ^[1]

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1. Ohio State Univ., Columbus (United States)

An extractive fermentation process was developed to produce propionate from lactose. The bacterium Propionibacterium acidipropionici was immobilized in a spiral wound, fibrous matrix packed in the reactor. Propionic acid is the major product from lactose fermentation, with acetic acid and carbon dioxide as byproducts. Propionic acid is a strong inhibitor to this fermentation. A tertiary amine was used to selectively extract propionic acid from the bioreactor, hence enhancing reactor productivity by over 100%. The authors also speculate that by selectively extracting propionic acid, lactose metabolism can be directed to yield more propionate and less byproducts. Other advantages of extractive fermentation include better pH control and a purer product. The propionic acid present in the extractant can be easily stripped with small amounts of an alkaline solution, resulting in a concentrated propionate salt. The extractant was also regenerated in this stripping step. Thus, the process is energy-efficient and economically attractive.

• OSTI ID: 5039395
• Journal Information: Biotechnology Progress; (United States), Vol. 8:2; ISSN 8756-7938
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
PROPIONIC ACID
YIELDS
WHEY
FERMENTATION
BACTERIA
BIOREACTORS
IMMOBILIZED CELLS
LACTOSE
BIOCONVERSION
CARBOHYDRATES
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
DISACCHARIDES
FOOD
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
MICROORGANISMS
MILK PRODUCTS
MONOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS
OLIGOSACCHARIDES
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SACCHARIDES
WASTES
090900* - Biomass Fuels- Processing- (1990-)