Electricity-assisted production of caproic acid from grass.

摘要: Medium chain carboxylic acids, such as caproic acid, are conventionally produced from food materials. Caproic acid can be through fermentation by the reverse β-oxidation of lactic generated low value lignocellulosic biomass. In situ extraction achieved membrane electrolysis coupled to process, allowing recovery phase separation. Grass was fermented in a leach-bed-type reactor, which then further converted secondary fermenter. The concentration 9.36 ± 0.95 g L−1 over 33-day semi-continuous operation, and at pH 5.5–6.2, with 4.09 ± 0.54 g L−1 during stable production. product stream extracted its anionic form, concentrated electrolysis, resulting a >70 wt% purity solution. parallel test exploring upper limits production rate cell retention, we highest reported date biomass (grass, via process), 0.99 ± 0.02 g L−1 h−1. fermenting microbiome (mainly consisting Clostridium IV Lactobacillus) capable producing maximum 10.92 ± 0.62 g L−1 5.5, border solubility protonated acid. utilized substrate produce biological intermediary steps were enhanced separating focus on intermediary. Notably, pipeline almost completely powered electrical inputs, thus could potentially driven sustainable energy without need for chemical input.