Effects of three main sugars in cane molasses on the production of butyric acid with Clostridium tyrobutyricum

The effects of three main sugars in cane molasses were investigated systematically to prepare a cost-effective medium for butyric acid bioproduction. Additionally, 30 g/L corn steep liquor was screened out as the suitable nitrogen source. In the batch fermentation of free cells, when 60 g/L glucose was the only carbon source, 21.28 g/L butyric acid was achieved after 30 h cultivation. Similar product concentration, productivity and yield were obtained when 60 g/L fructose was applied. The utilization of sucrose would bring about lower productivity (0.29 g/L·h) and product concentration (18.15 g/L), but the yield of butyric acid/sucrose (0.34 g/g) is almost the same as that from glucose or fructose (0.35 g/g). Finally, the sugar mixture (15 g/L glucose, 20 g/L fructose and 35 g/L sucrose) was employed to produce butyric acid in a fibrous-bed bioreactor (FBB), and 40.11 g/L butyric acid was produced with one simple fed-batch strategy.