Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of xylo-oligosaccharides manufacturing waste residue for l-lactic acid production by Rhizopus oryzae

Abstract

High substrate cost and low lactic acid yield are the most pressing concerns in fermentative production of l-lactic acid by Rhizopus oryzae. In this study, waste residue from corncob after xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) manufacturing was used as an alternative abundant, renewable, and inexpensive substrate for l-lactic acid production. After enzymatic hydrolysis, both glucose and xylose in the hydrolysate were converted to 34.0gL−1 of l-lactic acid, equivalent to a yield of 0.34gg−1 dry waste residue, by R. oryzae in separate hydrolysis and fermentation. In contrast, a higher l-lactic acid titer (60.3gL−1) and yield (0.60gg−1 dry waste residue) were achieved in simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) with 10% (w/v) substrate loading at 40°C, demonstrating, for the first time, the feasibility of l-lactic acid production from XOS manufacturing waste residues. The SSF process for l-lactic acid production from XOS waste residues was also demonstrated in a 5-L stirred-tank bioreactor, although further optimization would be necessary.