Summary
Production of butyrate has been studied in continuous cultures of Clostridium tyrobutyricum. Production of acids, gases and cell biomass were determined under conditions of glucose limitation by varying either the glucose input or the dilution rate. Addition of acetate or butyrate to the cultures was also tested. The results led to the proposition that inhibition by acids acting as incouplers of energy production could provide a physiological explanation for most of the phenomena observed. It readily accounted for the higher productivities but lower product concentrations obtained in continuous culture with respect to batch or fed-batch conditions. It also explained the decrease in the ratios of butyrate to total acids and in cell yield observed at higher glucose input as well as the behaviour of the cultures under conditions of excess glucose. It could also possibly account for the partial conversion of added acetate to butyrate observed at moderate growth rates.
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Michel-Savin, D., Marchal, R. & Vandecasteele, J.P. Butyrate production in continuous culture of Clostridium tyrobutyricum: effect of end-product inhibition. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 33, 127–131 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00176512
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00176512