Production of butyric acid from acid hydrolysate of corn husk in fermentation by Clostridium tyrobutyricum: kinetics and process economic analysis

Abstract

BackgroundButyric acid is an important chemical currently produced from petrochemical feedstocks. Its production from renewable, low-cost biomass in fermentation has attracted large attention in recent years. In this study, the feasibility of corn husk, an abundant agricultural residue, for butyric acid production by using Clostridium tyrobutyricum immobilized in a fibrous bed bioreactor (FBB) was evaluated.ResultsHydrolysis of corn husk (10% solid loading) with 0.4 M H2SO4 at 110 °C for 6 h resulted in a hydrolysate containing ~ 50 g/L total reducing sugars (glucose:xylose = 1.3:1.0). The hydrolysate was used for butyric acid fermentation by C. tyrobutyricum in a FBB, which gave 42.6 and 53.0% higher butyric acid production from glucose and xylose, respectively, compared to free-cell fermentations. Fermentation with glucose and xylose mixture (1:1) produced 50.37 ± 0.04 g L−1 butyric acid with a yield of 0.38 ± 0.02 g g−1 and productivity of 0.34 ± 0.03 g L−1 h−1. Batch fermentation with corn husk hydrolysate produced 21.80 g L−1 butyric acid with a yield of 0.39 g g−1, comparable to those from glucose. Repeated-batch fermentations consistently produced 20.75 ± 0.65 g L−1 butyric acid with an average yield of 0.39 ± 0.02 g g−1 in three consecutive batches. An extractive fermentation process can be used to produce, separate, and concentrate butyric acid to > 30% (w/v) sodium butyrate at an economically attractive cost for application as an animal feed supplement.ConclusionA high concentration of total reducing sugars at ~ 50% (w/w) yield was obtained from corn husk after acid hydrolysis. Stable butyric acid production from corn husk hydrolysate was achieved in repeated-batch fermentation with C. tyrobutyricum immobilized in a FBB, demonstrating that corn husk can be used as an economical substrate for butyric acid production.

A systematic analysis of economic evaluation studies of second‐generation biorefineries providing chemicals by applying biotechnological processes

“…Average costs and revenues are used for calculations. [52][53][54] • In dynamic economic models, the timing of revenues and costs is considered. Early revenues are more favorable than later revenues.…”

“…For instance, if internal laboratory data were used, they could have been published either in the current reviewed article or in a previous article. 52,66 Furthermore, the data used for the analysis were never entirely based on in-house laboratory trials. However, the data for the modeling of the fermentation processes were often based on laboratory experiments.…”

“…However, the data for the modeling of the fermentation processes were often based on laboratory experiments. 52,53,73 Cost structure…”

“…Depending on the objective, different economic models can be used for the evaluation of biorefineries. 14,24,52,58 Static-deterministic models are recommended for early stage SOS analysis when scientists prioritize analyzing process kinetics. 52,73 These are less complex and allow quick analysis to determine critical parameters.…”

“…14,24,52,58 Static-deterministic models are recommended for early stage SOS analysis when scientists prioritize analyzing process kinetics. 52,73 These are less complex and allow quick analysis to determine critical parameters. Dynamicstochastic models have a higher level of complexity and are more suitable for strategic planning of late-stage biorefineries, when scientists, developers or entrepreneurs wish to evaluate the entire process chain.…”