Production of 1,3-propanediol by Clostridium butyricum DSM 5431 in an Anaerobic Moving-Bed Bioreactor

Abstract

Production of 1,3-propanediol (PD) by Clostridium butyricum DSM 5431 was investigated in a moving-bed bioreactor with BCN-009 as the cell-supporting material. The results of steady state operation indicated that PD production in a moving-bed bioreactor was feasible. The moving-bed bioreactor provided good liquid mixing, resulting in a suitable pH range (i.e., pH = 6.9 – 7.0) throughout the experiment. Maximum PD concentration (33.8 g/L), product yield (0.7), and productivity (16.9 g/L/h) were obtained when the bioreactor was operated using an inlet glycerol concentration and a dilution rate of 60 g/L and 0.5 h-1, respectively. Finally, we conclude that moving-bed bioreactors are attractive for future development as seen by higher effluent PD concentrations and productivity compared to other suspended-growth and immobilized bioreactor configurations.

Keywords

• clostridium butyricum
• glycerol
• 1,3-propanediol
• bioreactor
• moving-bed