Tandem transformation of glycerol to esters

• Published in: Journal of biotechnology 2012-12, Vol.162 (4), p.390-397
• Main Authors: Sotenko, Maria V., Rebroš, Martin, Sans, Victor S., Loponov, Konstantin N., Davidson, Matthew G., Stephens, Gill, Lapkin, Alexei A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 1,3-Propanediol; acylglycerols; Batch Cell Culture Techniques - methods; Biodiesel; Biofuels; Bioreactors - microbiology; Biotechnology; Biotechnology - methods; Biphasic catalysis; continuous fermentation; Enzymes, Immobilized - chemistry; Enzymes, Immobilized - metabolism; Esterification; Esters; Fermentation; Fungal Proteins - metabolism; glycerol; Glycerol - chemistry; Glycerol - metabolism; Glycerols; Hollow fibre membranes; Lipase - chemistry; Lipase - metabolism; Membrane contactors; Propylene Glycols - chemistry; Propylene Glycols - metabolism; Rhizomucor - enzymology; Rhizomucor miehei; Rhizomucor miehei lipase; Transformations
• ISSN: 0168-1656; 1873-4863
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2012.05.026

► We have shown feasibility of a tandem fermentation–enzymatic conversion process. ► We optimized continuous fermentation to high 1,3-propane diol productivity. ► We demonstrated stability of enzyme in the tandem process in repeated experiments. ► The reactor performance was shown to be comparable to batch reactions, but offer processing advantages due to the use of an immobilized enzyme. ► Fermentation was shown to proceed with waste glycerol from biodiesel production, but requiring removal of free fatty acids. Tandem transformation of glycerol via microbial fermentation and enzymatic esterification is presented. The reaction can be performed with purified waste glycerol from biodiesel production in a continuous mode, combining continuous fermentation with membrane-supported enzymatic esterification. Continuous anaerobic fermentation was optimized resulting in the productivity of 2.4gL−1h−1 of 1,3-propanediol. Biphasic esterification of 1,3-propanediol was optimized to achieve ester yield of up to 75%. A hollow fibre membrane contactor with immobilized Rhizomucor miehei lipase was demonstrated for the continuous tandem fermentation-esterification process.