Evaluation of succinic acid continuous and repeat-batch biofilm fermentation by Actinobacillus succinogenes using plastic composite support bioreactors

Continuous and repeat-batch biofilm fermentations using Actinobacillus succinogenes were performed with immobilized and suspended-cell systems. For the immobilized continuous system, plastic composite supports (PCS) containing 50% (w/w) polypropylene (PP), 35% (w/w) ground soybean hulls, 5% (w/w) dried bovine albumin, 2.5% (w/w) soybean flour, 2.5% (w/w) yeast extract, 2.5% (w/w) dried red blood cells, and 2.5% (w/w) peptone, or PP tubes (8.5 cm in length) were arranged around the agitator shaft in a grid formation. Agitation was controlled at 125 rpm and 150 rpm. Samples were taken at dilution rates of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 h−1 and analyzed for succinic acid production and glucose consumption (g l−1). For PCS bioreactors, the highest final succinic acid concentrations (10.1 g −1, 10.4 g l−1) and percentage yields (62.6%, 71.6%) occurred at the dilution rate of 0.2 h−1. PCS disks were evaluated in a repeat-batch biofilm reactor. Suspended-cell batch fermentations were performed in flasks and a repeat-batch bioreactor. The maximum concentration of succinic acid produced was 40 g l−1. Peak succinic acid percentage yields in continuous and repeat-batch fermentations of A. succinogenes were observed in suspended-cell continuous fermentations at a dilution rate of 1.0 h−1 (76.2%) and in PCS repeat-batch fermentations with an initial glucose concentration of 40 g l−1 (86.7%).