Analysis of organic acids produced by lactic acid bacteria

Abstract

Organic acids can be useful as starting materials in multiple applications including for food supplements, bio-based material, and biodegradable polymers. The use of microorganisms for organic acids production has been promising to replace petroleum-based processes because of their abilities to utilize inexpensive and renewable feedstocks. In order to obtain potential bacteria for organic acids production, a total of 4 selected lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolates were investigated. The production of organic acids was carried out for 5 days of incubation using a liquid fermentation process. The organic acids analyzed were acetate, citrate, formate, lactate, and succinate. The analysis of these compounds was performed using High – Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Results revealed the growth of 4 LAB isolates increased and reached about 107 CFU/ml during 5 days of fermentation. Lactate and acetate were found as the dominant products of organic acid fermentation. The highest amount of acetate, lactate, and formate was achieved at 44.81 g/L, 17.11 g/L, and 7.90 g/L respectively by BAL 100 isolate whereas the highest content of succinate was 20.83 g/L and produced by BAL 690 isolate. The experiments indicated that BAL 100 isolate could be the most potential for organic acid production and BAL 690 isolate is considered as promising isolate for succinic acid production.