Deacidification of grass silage press juice by continuous production of acetoin from its lactate via an immobilized enzymatic reaction cascade

Abstract

An immobilized enzymatic reaction cascade was designed and optimized for the deacidification of grass silage press juice (SPJ), thus facilitating the production of bio-based chemicals. The cascade involves a three-step process using four enzymes immobilized in a Ca-alginate gel and uses lactic acid to form acetoin, a value-added product. The reaction is performed with a continuous, pH-dependent substrate feed under oxygenation. With titrated lactic acid yields of up to 91% and reaction times of ca. 6h was achieved. Using SPJ as titrant yields of 49% were obtained within 6h. In this deacidification process, with acetoin one value-added bio-based chemical is produced while simultaneously the remaining press juice can be used in applications that require a higher pH. Such, this system can be applied in a multi-product biorefinery concept to take full advantage of nutrient-rich SPJ, which is a widely available and easily storable renewable resource.