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Succinic acid production from wheat using a biorefining strategy
Chenyu Du1, Sze Ki Carol Lin, Apostolis Koutinas
1Satake Centre for Grain Process Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, The University of Manchester, P.O. Box 88, Manchester M60 1QD, UK.
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
|July 27, 2007
Summary
This study developed a two-stage bioprocess to produce succinic acid from wheat flour. A refined feedstock, created through fungal processes and hydrolysis, significantly improved bacterial fermentation yields.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Industrial Microbiology
- Biochemical Engineering
Background:
- Succinic acid is a valuable platform chemical with diverse industrial applications.
- Developing sustainable and cost-effective production methods from renewable resources is crucial.
- Wheat flour presents an abundant and underutilized feedstock for bioprocessing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biosynthesis of succinic acid from wheat flour using a two-stage bioprocess.
- To optimize feedstock preparation for enhanced bacterial fermentation by Actinobacillus succinogenes.
- To evaluate the potential of a wheat-based biorefinery for succinic acid production.
Main Methods:
- A two-stage fermentation process involving fungal pretreatment and bacterial conversion.
- Stage 1: Wheat flour conversion to a generic microbial feedstock via fungal fermentation, hydrolysis, and autolysis.
- Stage 2: Bacterial fermentation of the prepared feedstock into succinic acid by Actinobacillus succinogenes.
Main Results:
- The optimized feedstock preparation strategy, involving fungal hydrolysis and autolysis, yielded a glucose- and nutrient-rich stream.
- Actinobacillus succinogenes fermentation using the wheat-derived feedstock achieved a succinic acid concentration of nearly 16 g/L.
- An overall yield of 0.19 g succinic acid per g of wheat flour was obtained, demonstrating efficient conversion.
Conclusions:
- A coupled fungal fermentation, hydrolysis, and autolysis approach effectively generates a suitable bacterial feedstock from wheat flour.
- This wheat-based biorefinery strategy enables efficient succinic acid production, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional methods.
- The study highlights the potential for utilizing agricultural residues in the production of valuable biochemicals.
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