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Updated: Sep 28, 2025

Author Spotlight: Optimizing Hollow-Fiber Membranes for Continuous Liquid-Liquid Extraction of Medium-Chain Fatty Acids
Published on: August 9, 2024
Efficient production of medium chain fatty acids in microbial electrosynthesis with simultaneous bio-utilization of
Zhigang Li1, Jiayi Cai1, Yu Gao1
1Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
Abstract:
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a promising technology for chemicals production driven by renewable energy. However, how the medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) production in MES is affected by the method of chain elongation is not clear, and no direct evidence is provided yet for a simultaneous bio-utilization of CO2 and ethanol. In this study, different methods of chain elongation in MES reactors were investigated. During in-situ chain elongation, a maximum caproate concentration of 11.9 ± 0.6 g L-1 was achieved, while the C6 specificity (56.4% ± 0.5%) was much lower than that of ex-situ chain elongation (78.7% ± 1.5%). Carbon distribution and reduction degree balance indicated a simultaneous bio-utilization of CO2 and ethanol, and it was validated by the isotope tracer technique. MCFAs-forming microbes, acetogens, and electrochemically active microorganisms were enriched. This study provides fundamental insights relevant to the carbon and electron fluxes driven by electricity.
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