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Related Concept Videos

Production of Organic Acids01:25

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Lactic acid, an important organic acid extensively applied in food, pharmaceutical, and biodegradable polymer industries, is primarily produced via microbial fermentation. This method is favored over chemical synthesis due to its environmental sustainability and capacity for enantiomerically pure product formation. Among various microbial processes, the fermentation of starch-based substrates stands out due to the abundance and renewability of raw materials like corn and potatoes.Hydrolysis of...
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Microbes in Food Production01:29

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Microbial fermentation is central to food biotechnology, enhancing flavor, texture, preservation, and stability. Fermentative microorganisms metabolize carbohydrates into organic acids, alcohols, and other metabolites that inhibit spoilage organisms and improve digestibility while contributing distinctive sensory qualities.In baking, amylases naturally present in flour hydrolyze starch into monosaccharides such as glucose, which Saccharomyces cerevisiae ferments anaerobically. Through...
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Bioreactors are engineered vessels designed to cultivate microorganisms under controlled conditions for industrial bioprocessing. They maintain sterility and allow precise regulation of pH, temperature, oxygen, and nutrient levels to optimize microbial growth and metabolite production. Bioreactors range from small laboratory units of 1 liter to industrial systems holding up to 500,000 liters, though only about 75% of their volume is actively used for fermentation. The remaining headspace...
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Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and molds are instrumental in fermenting plant-based foods to enhance preservation and ensure year-round availability. These microbial processes convert plant carbohydrates into organic acids and other metabolites that inhibit spoilage organisms and contribute to the sensory qualities of the final product.In sauerkraut production, cabbage goes through a microbial succession that starts with cocci such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides. These microbes begin fermentation by...
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Fermentation is a crucial anaerobic metabolic process that enables microbes to derive energy from sugar without relying on oxygen or an electron transport chain. This process is fundamental to various biological and industrial applications and is classified based on the metabolic products generated.Role of Pyruvate in FermentationPyruvate and its derivatives serve as key electron acceptors in fermentative pathways. The oxidation of NADH to regenerate NAD+ is essential for the continuation of...
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Methanogenesis is a critical microbial process in anaerobic ecosystems responsible for the biological production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas and valuable biofuel. This metabolic pathway is primarily facilitated by methanogenic archaea, which thrive in anoxic environments such as wetlands, sediments, and animal gastrointestinal tracts. The absence of oxygen in these habitats prevents aerobic respiration, thereby favoring alternative biochemical pathways for organic matter degradation.In...
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Related Experiment Video

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Continuously-stirred Anaerobic Digester to Convert Organic Wastes into Biogas: System Setup and Basic Operation
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A closed loop for municipal organic solid waste by lactic acid fermentation.

Maraike Probst1, Janette Walde2, Thomas Pümpel1

  • 1Institute of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25d, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.

Bioresource Technology
|December 3, 2014
PubMed
Summary

This study shows that municipal organic solid waste can be converted into lactic acid. Lactobacillus acidophilus efficiently produces lactic acid at 37°C and pH 5, supporting waste recycling.

Keywords:
FermentationLactic acid bacteriaLactobacillusOrganic residuesUnsterilized biowaste

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Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Environmental Science
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Municipal organic solid waste presents a significant disposal challenge.
  • Valorization of waste streams is crucial for sustainable resource management.
  • Lactic acid is a valuable platform chemical with diverse industrial applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the feasibility of lactic acid production from municipal organic solid waste.
  • To identify optimal fermentation conditions (pH and temperature) for lactic acid yield.
  • To characterize the microbial community involved in the bioconversion process.

Main Methods:

  • Fermentation experiments were conducted at various pH levels (4-7) and temperatures (37°C, 55°C).
  • Chemical, physical, and microbial parameters were monitored over a 7-day period.
  • Molecular techniques including quantitative real-time PCR, PCR-DGGE, and next-generation sequencing of 16S rRNA gene libraries were employed.

Main Results:

  • Lactic acid production exceeding 300mM was achieved under specific conditions.
  • The most effective fermentation occurred at 37°C with uncontrolled pH or a pH of 5.
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus and related species were identified as key microbial players.

Conclusions:

  • Municipal organic solid waste is a viable substrate for lactic acid fermentation.
  • Optimal conditions for efficient lactic acid production involve 37°C and a pH of 5.
  • This research contributes to the circular economy by enabling waste reuse and recycling.