Clostridium strain selection for co-culture with Bacillus subtilis for butanol production from agave hydrolysates

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2019-03, Vol.275, p.410-415
• Main Authors: Oliva-Rodríguez, Alejandra G., Quintero, Julián, Medina-Morales, Miguel A., Morales-Martínez, Thelma K., Rodríguez-De la Garza, José A., Moreno-Dávila, Mayela, Aroca, Germán, Rios González, Leopoldo J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agave - metabolism; Agave hydrolysate; Anaerobiosis; Bacillus subtilis; Bacillus subtilis - metabolism; Biological reducing agent; Butanol; Butanols - metabolism; Clostridium acetobutylicum; Clostridium acetobutylicum - metabolism; Coculture Techniques; Fermentation
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.12.085

[Display omitted] •Clostridium strains were assessed for butanol production from agave hydrolysates.•6.04 g/L of butanol was produced using Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824.•Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 showed higher tolerance to inhibitors.•Co-culture was carried out using Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium acetobutylicum.•8.28 g/L of butanol was produced in co-culture from agave hydrolysates. In this work, three Clostridium strains were tested for butanol production from Agave lechuguilla hydrolysates to select one for co-culturing. The agave hydrolysates medium was supplemented with nutrients and reducing agents to promote anaerobiosis. Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 had the highest butanol production (6.04 g/L) and was selected for further analyses. In the co-culture process, Bacillus subtilis CDBB 555 was used to deplete oxygen and achieve anaerobic conditions required for butanol production. The co-culture was prepared with C. acetobutylicum and B. subtilis without anaerobic pretreatment. Butanol production in co-culture from agave hydrolysates was compared with experiments using synthetic medium with glucose and a pure culture of C. acetobutylicum. The maximum butanol concentration obtained was 8.28 g/L in the co-cultured hydrolysate medium. Results obtained in the present work demonstrated that agave hydrolysates have the potential for butanol production using a co-culture of B. subtilis and C. acetobutylicum without anaerobic pretreatment.