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An electrokinetic bioreactor: using direct electric current for enhanced lactic acid fermentation and product recovery.

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
  • Hong Li
  • Roberta Mustacchi
  • Christopher J. Knowles
  • Wolfgang Skibar
  • Garry Sunderland
  • Ian Dalrymple
  • Simon A. Jackman
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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>12/01/2004
<mark>Journal</mark>Tetrahedron
Issue number3
Volume60
Number of pages7
Pages (from-to)655-661
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

The microbiological production of organic acids by fermentation processes is growing in commercial importance. However, the removal of product and pH control are two main issues that limit the technical and commercial viability of such processes. A laboratory scale bioreactor combining conventional electrodialysis and bipolar membrane electrodialysis has been developed for in situ product removal and pH control in lactic acid fermentation. The electrokinetic process enabled removal of the biocatalytic product (lactic acid) directly from the bioreactor system, in a concentrated form, as well as enabling good pH control without generation of troublesome salts. Moreover, end-product inhibition of glucose catabolism was reduced, resulting in a greater generation of the end-product lactic acid. An automatic pH sensor and current application system was developed and successfully implemented for lactic acid fermentation in the electrokinetic bioreactor.