Optimization of 1,3-dihydroxyacetone production from crude glycerol by immobilized Gluconobacter oxydans MTCC 904

This study has addressed the matter of optimization of production of the value added product, dihydroxyacetone, from crude glycerol using immobilized cells of Gluconobacter oxydans. Statistical optimization of the fermentation medium revealed MgSO4·7H2O, (NH4)2SO4 and KH2PO4 as the significant components, in addition to small concentration of yeast extract. As per previous literature, these components augment the activity of glycerol dehydrogenase enzyme in metabolism and provide assimilable nitrogen and sulfur source for cell growth. Yeast extract not only provides essential growth factors, but also accelerates production of alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme due to amino acids present. The DHA yield from crude glycerol (20g/L) with optimized medium is 14.08g/L, which is just 12% lower than the yield for pure glycerol .This study has thus established that proper optimization of fermentation medium reduces the adverse effect of impurities in crude glycerol on fermentation process and DHA yield.