Extractive fermentation for fumaric acid production by Rhizopus oryzae

Low product concentration and high cost of recovery process have motivated the study of in situ removal of fumaric acid from fermentation broth. After a series of screenings, an integrated process with fumaric acid fermentation and extraction was developed. Under this integrated process, fumaric acid production and productivity increased from 18.06 g/L to 34.23 g/L, and from 0.27 g/L/h to 0.57 g/L/h, respectively. Neutralizing agent utilization decreased by 58.75%, and 140.7 g/L ammonium fumarate was obtained after back extraction, which could be directed used to produce related derivatives without concentration. Thus, the integrated process was more economic and environmental friendly.