Fed-batch propionic acid production by propionibacterium acidipropionici

Abstract

The batch fermentations were conducted using lactose as the substrate at pH 6.5 and temperature 30C. Average batch kinetic data was eventually used to develop an unstructured mathematical model. The kinetic parameters of the model were determined by non-linear regression technique using the batch experimental results. Parametric sensitivity analysis showed the maximum specific substrate consumption rate (rmax S ) and the maintenance energy constant (mS) to be the most sensitive parameters. The experimental observations in batch fermentation were close to the model predictions. The batch model was extrapolated to identify nutrient feeding strategies, which were tested successfully for two different fed-batch fermentations. It demonstrated enhanced propionic acid productivity. The developed model was found suitable for the design of feeding strategies to increase propionic acid production in fed-batch mode of reactor operation.