Feed-control development for succinic acid production with Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens.

The aim of this work was the development of a feed-control for a succinic acid production fed-batch process. The performed batch trials indicated a correlation between succinic acid production and base consumption pH control. Based on the metabolism of Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens, a theoretical correlation between base consumption and glucose feed was established and proved in cultivation trials. With the established fed-batch process, the succinic acid yield could be increased to 0.875 (g/g glucose) in comparison to batch processes (0.60) with similar glucose concentrations. Additionally, the results indicate that the osmolarity of the medium has a significant influence on succinic acid production.

Kinetic study on succinic acid and acetic acid formation during continuous cultures of Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens grown on glycerol.

Succinic acid-producing Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens was anaerobically grown in a glycerol-fed continuous bioreactor in order to investigate the physiological responses of the cell to different pH values (5.9, 6.2, or 6.5) and various dilution rates, D. In these experiments, A. succiniciproducens showed a pH-dependent glycerol consumption behavior. When pH was maintained at 5.9 or 6.5, glycerol started to accumulate even at a very low D of 0.027 h(-1). Succinic acid yield was not significantly affected by the pH of the culture or the Ds. However, more acetic acid formation was observed when the growth rate of A. succiniciproducens was fast on glycerol at pH 6.2 (at D > or = 0.15 h(-1)). The highest obtainable succinic acid/acetic acid ratio was 40:1, which was 10 times higher than that obtained by batch cultures grown on glucose. The maximum obtainable productivity of succinic acid was 2.1 g L(-1) h(-1)), which was 14 times higher than that obtained by batch culture.

Kinetic study of organic acid formations and growth of Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens during continuous cultures.

Succinic acid-producing Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens was anaerobically grown in glucose-fed continuous cultures using glucose as a carbon source, and the metabolic flexibility of A. succiniciproducens in response to varying glucose concentrations and dilution rates was examined. Both succinic acid (SA) and acetic acid (AA) formation was growth-associated, and their growth-rate-related coefficients (KSA/X, KAA/X) and nongrowth-rate-related coefficients (K'SA/X, K'AA/X) were slightly influenced by glucose concentrations. A high glucose concentration (38 g/l) and high growth rate (0.63 h-1) did not induce by-product formation.

Succinic acid production by Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens ATCC 29305 growing on galactose, galactose/glucose, and galactose/lactose.

Succinic acid-producing Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens was anaerobically grown on galactose, galactose/glucose, or galactose/lactose in order to study its galactose fermentation. Unlike a previous report, A. succiniciproducens was found to efficiently metabolize galactose as the sole carbon source at a rate of 2.4 g/g-DCW/h and produced succinic acid with as high a yield of 87% as with using glucose. When glucose and galactose were present, A. succiniciproducens metabolized both sugars simultaneously. Furthermore, when lactose and galactose coexisted, lactose did not inhibit the galactose fermentation of A. succiniciproducens. Therefore, co-utilization of galactose and other sugars can improve the productivity and economy of bio-based succinic acid processes.

Cell recycled culture of succinic acid-producing Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens using an internal membrane filtration system.

Cell recycled culture of succinic acid-producing Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens was anaerobically carried out using an internal membrane filter module in order to examine the physiological response of A. succiniciproducens to a high-cell-density environment. The optimal growth of A. succiniciproducens and its enhanced succinic acid productivity were observed under CO2-rich conditions, established by adding NaHCO3 and Na2CO3, in the cell recycled system. A. succiniciproducens grew up to 6.50 g-DCW/l, the highest cell concentration obtained so far, in cell recycled cultures. The cells did not change their morphology, which is known to be easily changed in unfavorable or stress environments. The maximum productivity of succinic acid was about 3.3 g/l/h, which is 3.3 times higher than those obtained in batch cultures. These results can serve as a guide for designing highly efficient cell recycled systems for succinic acid at a commercial level.