Production of (2R,3R)-butanediol by Paenibacillus polymyxa PM 3605 from crude glycerol supplemented with sugarcane molasses

• Published in: Process biochemistry (1991) Vol. 106; pp. 88 - 95
• Main Authors: Tinôco, Daniel, de Castro, Aline M., Seldin, Lucy, Freire, Denise M.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Barking Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Acetoin; Anti-freezing; Biodiesel fuels; Biofuels; Biomass-based sugar; Butanediol; Carbon sources; Cosmetics; Flasks; Glycerin; Glycerol; GRAS bacteria; Levo-2,3-butanediol; Metabolism; Molasses; Paenibacillus polymyxa; Polymers; Selectivity; Substrates; Sugarcane; Syrups & sweeteners; Glycerin; Levo-2,3-butanediol; Biomass-based sugar; GRAS bacteria; Anti-freezing
• ISSN: 1359-5113; 1873-3298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2021.03.030

[Display omitted] •First time that P. polymyxa produced 2,3-butanediol from crude glycerol and molasses.•About 14.5 g/L 2,3-butanediol was produced from 50 g/L crude glycerol.•Molasses supplementation was performed to enhance the 2,3-butanediol production.•Up to 19 g/L 2,3-butanediol was produced by supplementation of 10 g/L molasses. 2,3-Butanediol (2,3-BDO) is a chemical platform used in several applications, such as cosmetics, medicines, polymers, and fuels. Its levo-isomer is used as an antifreeze agent of industrial interest. Glycerol has been extensively investigated to produce 2,3-BDO by different bacteria. However, few studies involving Paenibacillus polymyxa and glycerol have been conducted so far. In this study, biodiesel-derived glycerol was used for the 2,3-BDO production by P. polymyxa PM 3605. About 14.5 g/L of 2,3-BDO was obtained from 50 g/L of crude glycerol in shaken flasks at 37 °C and 200 rpm. By supplementing the glycerol-containing medium with 10 g/L of sugarcane molasses, the final 2,3-BDO production was enhanced to up to 19 g/L. This was the highest 2,3-BDO titer produced by the P. polymyxa strain from crude glycerol as the main carbon source, and sugarcane molasses as a secondary substrate, until now. The selectivity of levo-2,3-BDO was high, and the production of meso-2,3-BDO and acetoin were not detected. As 2,3-BDO metabolism is dependent on strict oxygen control to ensure a microaerobic condition, the production found here has potential for improvement, indicating that the glycerol use by P. polymyxa PM 3605 is promising for the levo-2,3-BDO synthesis.