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Strain evolution and novel downstream processing with integrated catalysis enable highly efficient co-production of 1,3-Propanediol and organic acid esters from crude glycerol
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  • Chijian Zhang,
  • Shubhang Sharma,
  • Chengwei Ma,
  • An-Ping Zeng
Chijian Zhang
Institute of Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, Hamburg University of Technology

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Shubhang Sharma
Institute of Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, Hamburg University of Technology
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Chengwei Ma
Institute of Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, Hamburg University of Technology
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An-Ping Zeng
Hamburg University of Technology
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Abstract

Bioconversion process with a single target product often lacks economic competitiveness owing to incomplete use of raw material and high costs of downstream processing (DSP). Here, we show with the microbial conversion of crude glycerol that an integrated strain engineering and catalytic conversion of the so-called byproducts can greatly improve DSP and the process economy. Specifically, Clostridium pasteurianum was first adapted to increased concentration of crude glycerol in a novel automatic laboratory evolution system. At m3 scale bioreactor the strain achieved a simultaneous production of 1,3-propanediol (PDO), acetic and butyric acids at 81.21, 18.72 and 11.09 g/L within only 19 h, respectively, representing the most efficient fermentation of crude glycerol to targeted products. A heterogeneous catalytic step was developed and integrated into the DSP process to obtain high-value methyl esters from acetic and butyric acids at high yields. The co-production of the esters also greatly simplified the recovery of PDO. For example, a cosmetic grade PDO (96% PDO) was easily obtained by a simple single-stage distillation process (with an overall yield more than 77%). This integrated approach provides an industrially attractive route for a complete use of the raw material with the simultaneous production of three appealing products which greatly improve the process economy and ecology.
12 Oct 2021Submitted to Biotechnology and Bioengineering
12 Oct 2021Submission Checks Completed
12 Oct 2021Assigned to Editor
28 Oct 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
20 Dec 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
20 Dec 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
05 Jan 20221st Revision Received
05 Jan 2022Submission Checks Completed
05 Jan 2022Assigned to Editor
21 Jan 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
20 Feb 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
20 Feb 2022Editorial Decision: Accept
02 Mar 2022Published in Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 10.1002/bit.28070