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Potassium acetate by fermentation with Clostridium thermoaceticum
M M Shah1, F Akanbi, M Cheryan
1University of Illinois, Agricultural Bioprocess Laboratory, 1302 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Researchers optimized anaerobic fermentation to produce potassium acetate from dextrose. This cost-effective bioprocess using corn steep liquor achieved high acetic acid yields, offering a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based methods.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Industrial Microbiology
- Biochemical Engineering
Background:
- Potassium acetate is conventionally synthesized from petroleum-derived acetic acid and potassium hydroxide.
- An alternative, potentially cheaper method involves the anaerobic fermentation of dextrose using Clostridium thermoaceticum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize the fermentation process for maximizing acetate concentration.
- To evaluate the economic viability of using alternative nutrient sources and reducing agents.
Main Methods:
- Optimization of growth conditions, including pH, nutrient composition, and reducing agents.
- Utilized corn steep liquor and stillage as cost-effective nutrient substitutes.
- Employed cell preconcentration via ultrafiltration to enhance productivity.
Main Results:
- Achieved an acetic acid concentration of 53.6 g/L within 50 hours at pH 6.5 using corn steep liquor.
- Demonstrated that sodium sulfide can replace cysteine as a reducing agent.
- Obtained fermentation yields exceeding 0.9 g acetic acid per gram of glucose.
Conclusions:
- Anaerobic fermentation presents a viable and potentially cheaper route for potassium acetate production.
- The use of agricultural byproducts like corn steep liquor significantly reduces costs.
- Optimized fermentation parameters and cell concentration are key to high-yield bioproduction.
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