In-stream product recovery of p-coumaric acid heterologously produced: Implementation of a continuous liquid-liquid extraction assisted by hollow fiber membrane contactor

Abstract

This work aims to intensify trans-p-coumaric acid (p-CA) heterologous production. p-CA exhibits antimicrobial properties, low hydrosolubility, and retro-inhibition activity, making its heterologous production limited due to its accumulation in the broth. To overcome these limitations, an in-stream product recovery process (ISPR) is proposed and consists in a liquid-liquid extraction assisted by a hollow fiber membrane contactor. pH, medium composition, and solvent impacts on extraction performances, were investigated prior to the implementation. The coupling of the fermentation and the membrane-assisted extraction was then studied. Although cells were impaired by shear stress with only 15% of viable cells at the end in the extractive fermentation, the final p-CA concentration was approximatively 89% of the control one, suggesting an intensification of p-CA heterologous production if one factors the proportion of viable cells.