Direct succinic acid production from minimally pretreated biomass using sequential solid-state and slurry fermentation with mixed fungal cultures
Issue Date
6-2017
Abstract
Conventional bio-based succinic acid production involves anaerobic bacterial fermentation of pure sugars. This study explored a new route for directly producing succinic acid from minimally-pretreated lignocellulosic biomass via a consolidated bioprocessing technology employing a mixed lignocellulolytic and acidogenic fungal co-culture. The process involved a solid-state pre-fermentation stage followed by a two-phase slurry fermentation stage. During the solid-state pre-fermentation stage, Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma reesei were co-cultured in a nitrogen-rich substrate (e.g., soybean hull) to induce cellulolytic enzyme activity. The ligninolytic fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium was grown separately on carbon-rich birch wood chips to induce ligninolytic enzymes, rendering the biomass more susceptible to cellulase attack. The solid-state pre-cultures were then combined in a slurry fermentation culture to achieve simultaneous enzymatic cellulolysis and succinic acid production. This approach generated succinic acid at maximum titers of 32.43 g/L after 72 h of batch slurry fermentation (~10 g/L production), and 61.12 g/L after 36 h of addition of fresh birch wood chips at the onset of the slurry fermentation stage (~26 g/L production). Based on this result, this approach is a promising alternative to current bacterial succinic acid production due to its minimal substrate pretreatment requirements, which could reduce production costs.
Source or Periodical Title
Fermentation
Volume
3
Issue
3
Page
1-10
Document Type
Article
Physical Description
illustrations, graphs, diagram
Language
English
Subject
Bio-based chemicals, Consolidated bioprocessing, Fungi, Lignocellulose biomass, Mixed cultures, Solid-phase fermentation
Recommended Citation
Alcantara, J., Mondala, A., Hughey, L., & Shields, S. (2017). Direct Succinic Acid Production from Minimally Pretreated Biomass Using Sequential Solid-State and Slurry Fermentation with Mixed Fungal Cultures. Fermentation, 3 (3), 1-10. doi:10.3390/fermentation3030030.
Identifier
doi:10.3390/fermentation3030030.
Digital Copy
yes
En – AGROVOC descriptors
Bio-based chemicals, Consolidated bioprocessing, Fungi, Lignocellulose biomass, Mixed cultures, Solid-phase fermentation