Synthesis of medium-chain fatty acids from corn stover by sequential fermentation based on substrate configuration and initial pH optimization

Xiwen Jia, Dong Liu, Jiajie Xu, Xueyan Liang, Luoyang Liu, Yinghui He, Xian Liu, Suan Shi, Xuesong Zhang, Lujia Han and Weihua Xiao

Renewable Energy, 2024, vol. 235, issue C

Abstract: This work describes a novel sequential fermentation method for the production of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) from corn stover, without adding exogenous electron donors/acceptors. The effects of the carbon substrate concentration, ethanol-to-acetate ratio (ED/EA), and initial pH on carbon chain elongation (CCE) by Clostridium kluyveri to produce MCFAs are investigated using ethanol and acetate as the electron donor and acceptor, respectively. A carbon substrate concentration of 300 mM C is sufficient for CCE. An initial weakly alkaline environment significantly enhances the production of caproate through buffering effects and by reducing inhibition of product formation. The maximum caproate production reached 4.41 g/L (initial pH 8.5; 300 mm C; ED/EA = 1:1). The ability of corn stover to generate a suitable ED/EA via two-step fermentation to synthesize MCFAs is also explored. Ultimately, 5.53 g/L butyrate and caproate can be obtained from corn stover, where caproate accounts for 2.79 g/L. This study offers innovative ideas for the sustainable production of bio-based chemicals.

Keywords: Medium-chain fatty acid; Carbon chain elongation; Substrate configuration; Initial pH; Corn stover; Sequential fermentation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:235:y:2024:i:c:s0960148124014137

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2024.121345

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