Efficient production of succinic acid in immobilized fermentation with crude glycerol from Escherichia coli

The increase in the price of commercial succinic acid has necessitated the need for its synthesis from waste materials such as glycerol. Glycerol residue is a waste product of Oleochemical production which is cheaply available and a very good source of carbon. The use of immobilized cells can further reduce the overall cost of the production process. This study primarily aims to produce succinic acid from glycerol residue through the use of immobilized Escherichia coli in a batch fermentation process. The parameters which affect bacterial fermentation process such as the mass substrate, temperature, inoculum size and duration of fermentation were screened using One-Factor-At-a-Time (OFAT) method. The result of the screening process shows that a substrate (glycerol) concentration of 30 g, inoculum size 20% v/v, and time 4 h produced the maximum succinic acid concentration of 117.99 g/L. The immobilized cells were found to be stable as well as retain their fermentative ability up to the 6th cycle of recycling, thereby presenting as an advantage over the free cell system. Therefore, conclude that using immobilized cells can contribute immensely to the cost-effective production of succinic acid from glycerol residue

Simulation of dilute acid hydrolysis of wood sawdust for xylose production using aspen plus

Dilute acid hydrolysis is one of the most effective and inexpensive pretreatment methods for lignocellulosic biomass. Generally in hydrolysis process, monomeric sugars and soluble sugar oligomers (xylose and glucose) from the cell wall matrix are released into the hydrolysate. The aim of this study is to develop and simulate process model including heating, hydrolysis, neutralization, separation and cooling process for xylose production using Aspen Plus simulator. Based on experimental study for xylose production, a flowsheet has been proposed for a possible commercial production. Sawdust was used as a feedstock for the simulation as it has above 29% of xylan content, which is a promising source for xylose recovery. The hydrolysis of hemicellulose and cellulose to its monomeric constituents and possible degradation of these monomers were modeled by a series of first-order reactions. A kinetic and stoichiometric based reactor was used for dilute acid hydrolysis and neutralization process. The main reactions involved were implemented for both reactor with specified kinetic parameter and conversion factor. The results from the simulation were compared with experimental study from literature. Results from the developed process model show a good agreement with experimental study with 2.4% overall mean error for xylose production and 4.5% overall mean error for glucose production

Determination of saponin compound from anredera cordifolia (Ten) steenis plant (Binahong) to potential treatment for several diseases

Saponin has various types; it can be bond with glycosides that form soapy lathers when mixed and agitated with water, and have been used to treat diabetes; liver, hepatitis, cardiovascular as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and physical stress. In this study describe of saponins compound in Binahong, one of medicinal plant investigated from these plant probably contribute to the effectiveness the above plant for treatment several diseases. The sample were dried by oven (60o C) to be powder and extracted with solvents. After that used qualitative and quantitative test. The result of Binahong plant contains saponins compound on all a part of the Binahong plant, are positive indicate of presence of saponins triterpenoid and steroid. . Moreover crude of saponins substances from Leaves (28.14±0.22), Stems (3.65±011) and Tubers (43.15±0.10) of mg/g. The research showed of the Binahong plant, importance of the distribution of determination of saponins compound from plant, has a potential to treatment for several disease

Development of enzymatic member reactor (EMR) for cyclodextrins production

This study investigated on the fouling mechanisms in ultrafiltration membrane during separation of cyclodextrins from starch and CGTase. The Resistance-In-Series Model was used to identify the responsible hydraulic resistances. The result showed that the weak adsorption fouling resistance (ra1.) was the main factor that contributed the rate and extent of flux decline. Moreover the significant organic fouling that is contributed by starch, CDs, CGTase and intermediate by-products in organic colloids and/or macromolecular revealed that the fouling potential was ra1> rg > rcp > ra2. The overall results indicate that the fouling mechanism consists of pore mouth adsorption and subsequently narrowing of the pores as those components (starch and CGTase) are small enough not to be excluded by steric considerations. In the latter stage unreacted starch would be accumulated to form gel/cake layer. The measured flux recovery of enzymatic membrane reactor for CDs production was about 95%. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information