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Related Experiment Videos

Upgrading syngas fermentation effluent using Clostridium kluyveri in a continuous fermentation.

Sylvia Gildemyn1,2,3, Bastian Molitor1, Joseph G Usack1

  • 1Cornell University, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Riley-Robb Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA.

Biotechnology for Biofuels
|April 4, 2017
PubMed
Summary

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Pure cultures of Clostridium kluyveri efficiently convert syngas fermentation effluent into valuable medium-chain carboxylic acids (MCCAs). This bioprocess achieves high production rates and carbon conversion efficiencies, offering a promising alternative to ethanol recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Microbial Engineering
  • Chemical Synthesis

Background:

  • Syngas fermentation produces ethanol/acetic acid mixtures, with ethanol recovery being energy-intensive and low-value.
  • Chain elongation converts short-chain acids to higher-value medium-chain carboxylic acids (MCCAs).
  • Previous studies utilized open cultures; this research explores pure cultures for syngas effluent upgrading.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the use of pure cultures of Clostridium kluyveri for upgrading syngas fermentation effluent.
  • To optimize production rates and efficiency of MCCA synthesis.
  • To evaluate the impact of various operating conditions and real fermentation effluent.

Main Methods:

  • Continuous bioreactor cultivation of Clostridium kluyveri.
Keywords:
Carboxylate platformCarboxylic acidsChain elongationSyngas fermentationn-Caproic acidn-Caprylic acid

Related Experiment Videos

  • Manipulation of substrate loading rates, ethanol/acetic acid ratios, and pH.
  • Testing of in-line product extraction and utilization of real syngas fermentation effluent.

    • Main Results:

    • High n-caproic acid production rates (up to 40 mM/day) achieved at >90% carbon conversion efficiency.
    • Similar production rates observed with and without in-line product extraction.
    • Lower ethanol/acetic acid ratio (3:1) enhanced production; n-caprylic acid produced for the first time.
    • Real syngas effluent supported similar production rates with defined growth factors.

    Conclusions:

    • Clostridium kluyveri is an effective biocatalyst for upgrading syngas fermentation effluent to MCCAs.
    • Optimal pH for Clostridium kluyveri metabolism is above 5.5, unlike open cultures.
    • This method offers a viable route to higher-value products from syngas fermentation.