Fermentation of Sugar Beet Pulp by E. coli for Enhanced Biohydrogen and Biomass Production

Gayane Mikoyan, Liana Vanyan (), Akerke Toleugazykyzy, Roza Bekbayeva, Kamila Baichiyeva, Kairat Bekbayev () and Karen Trchounian ()
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Gayane Mikoyan: Scientific-Research Institute of Biology, Yerevan State University, 1 A. Manoogian str., Yerevan 0025, Armenia
Liana Vanyan: Scientific-Research Institute of Biology, Yerevan State University, 1 A. Manoogian str., Yerevan 0025, Armenia
Akerke Toleugazykyzy: Department of Food Technology and Processing Products, Technical Faculty, S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University, 62 Zhenis Avenue, Astana 010011, Kazakhstan
Roza Bekbayeva: Department of Food Technology and Processing Products, Technical Faculty, S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University, 62 Zhenis Avenue, Astana 010011, Kazakhstan
Kamila Baichiyeva: Department of Food Technology and Processing Products, Technical Faculty, S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University, 62 Zhenis Avenue, Astana 010011, Kazakhstan
Kairat Bekbayev: Department of Food Technology and Processing Products, Technical Faculty, S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University, 62 Zhenis Avenue, Astana 010011, Kazakhstan
Karen Trchounian: Scientific-Research Institute of Biology, Yerevan State University, 1 A. Manoogian str., Yerevan 0025, Armenia

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-15

Abstract: This study investigates the potential of sugar beet pulp (SBP), a lignocellulosic by-product of sugar production, as a low-cost substrate for biohydrogen and biomass generation using Escherichia coli under dark fermentation conditions. Two strains—BW25113 wild-type and a genetically engineered septuple mutant—were employed. SBP was pretreated via thermochemical hydrolysis, and the effects of substrate concentration, dilution, and glycerol supplementation were evaluated. Hydrogen production was highly dependent on substrate dilution and nutrient balance. The septuple mutant achieved the highest H 2 yield in 30 g L −1 SBP hydrolysate (0.75% sulfuric acid) at 5× dilution with glycerol, reaching 12.06 mmol H 2 (g sugar) −1 and 0.28 mmol H 2 (g waste) −1 , while the wild type under the same conditions yielded 3.78 mmol H 2 (g sugar) −1 and 0.25 mmol H 2 (g waste) −1 . In contrast, undiluted hydrolysates favored biomass accumulation over H 2 production, with the highest biomass yield (0.3 g CDW L −1 ) obtained using the septuple mutant in 30 g L −1 SBP hydrolysate without glycerol. These findings highlight the potential of genetically optimized E. coli and optimized hydrolysate conditions to enhance the valorization of agro-industrial waste, supporting future advances in sustainable hydrogen bioeconomy and integrated waste biorefineries.

Keywords: E. coli; sugar beet pulp (SBP); thermochemical hydrolysis; biomass and bio-H 2 production (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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