Production of propionic acid by microbiological way. Part 1. Influence of the initial sugars and product concentrations

Abstract

AbstractThe best yields and productivities of 0.38 g · g−1 and 0.35 g · l−1 h−1, respectively, for the propionic acid production in a batchsystem using sugar‐cane final molasses as carbon source were obtained when an initial TRS concentration of 50 g · l−1 was used.It was obvious that this process is severely inhibited by the acids produced and the most drastic effect (μ = 0) was at a TVA concentration near to 250 mmol · l−1, independently of the initial TRS concentration employed.A generalizated equation of noncompetitive inhibition was adjusted: and kinetic inhibition constants for each initial TRS concentration studied were estimated.