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Enhanced production of 2,3-butanediol from glycerol by forced pH fluctuations

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology volume 87, pages 943–949 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

The glycerol fermentation by Klebsiella pneumoniae occurs by receiving more than five liquid products—organic acids, diols, and ethanol. Aiming to direct the glycerol conversion towards predominant production of 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD), the main influencing parameters (the aeration and the pH) were investigated during fed-batch processes. The regime of intensive aeration (2.2 vvm air supply) was evaluated as most favorable for 2,3-BD synthesis and ensured the decrease of all other metabolites. Thus, without pH control, 52.5 g/l 2,3-BD were produced, as the carbon conversion of glycerol into 2,3-BD reached 60.6%. Additional enhancement in 2,3-BD production (by significant increase of glycerol utilization) was achieved by the development of a new method of “forced pH fluctuations”. It was realized by consecutive raisings of pH using definite ΔpH value, at exact time intervals, allowing multiple variations. Thus, the optimal conditions for maximal glycerol consumption were defined, and 70 g/l 2,3-BD were produced, which is the highest amount obtained from glycerol as a sole carbon source until now. The forced pH fluctuations emphasized pH as a governing factor in microbial conversion processes.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the European social fund for the financial support (Grant BG051PO001-3.3.04/30).

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Affiliations

  1. Institute of Chemical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 103, Acad. G. Bonchev str., 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria

    Kaloyan Petrov

  2. Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 26, Acad. G. Bonchev str., 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria

    Penka Petrova

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  1. Kaloyan Petrov
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  2. Penka Petrova
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Correspondence to Kaloyan Petrov.

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Petrov, K., Petrova, P. Enhanced production of 2,3-butanediol from glycerol by forced pH fluctuations. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 87, 943–949 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-010-2545-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-010-2545-z

Keywords

  • 2,3-Butanediol
  • Glycerol
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae
  • pH fluctuation