Production of acetone, butanol and ethanol (ABE) from potato wastes : fermentation with integrated membrane extraction

• Published in: Applied microbiology and biotechnology 1993-07, Vol.39 (4-5), p.494-498
• Main Authors: GROBBEN, N. G, EGGINK, G, CUPERUS, F. P, HUIZING, H. J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Clostridium acetobutylicum; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Microbial engineering. Fermentation and microbial culture technology; Solanum tuberosum
• ISSN: 0175-7598; 1432-0614
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00205039

The technical possibilities of the microbial production of acetone, butanol and ethanol (ABE) from potato waste using in-line solvent recovery, are evaluated. Clostridium acetobutylicum DSM 1731 produces up to 20 g multiplied by 1 super(-1) of solvents when grown on a medium containing 14% (w/v) potato powder. Using a polypropylene perstraction system and a oleyl alcohol/decane mixture as the extractant, the product yield (based on total solvents and potato dry weight) increased from 0.13 g multiplied by g super(-1) to 0.23 g multiplied by g super(-1). The recovery system worked well for 50 h, after which membrane fouling frustrated proper operation. In the second system a microfiltration step was incorporated whereas the solvents were extracted through a hydrophilic membrane using fatty acid methyl esters from sunflower oil as an extractant. This process configuration resulted in a comparable increase of ABE production.