The present study aims at comparing the performances of three Lactobacillus reuteri strains (DSM 20016, DSM 17938, and ATCC 53608) in producing 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) from glycerol and at exploring inhibition phenomena during this bioconversion. Differences were highlighted between the three strains in terms of 3-HP production yield, kinetics of substrate consumption, and metabolite production. With a maximal productivity in non-optimal conditions (free pH) around 2 g.L(-1).h(-1) of 3-HP and 4 g.L(-1).h(-1) of 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde (3-HPA) depending on the strain, this study confirmed the potential of L. reuteri for the biotechnological production of 3-HP. Moreover, the molar ratios of 3-HP to 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) obtained for the three strains (comprised between 1.25 and 1.65) showed systematically a higher 3-HP production. From these results, the DSM 17938 strain appeared to be the most promising strain. The impact of glycerol bioconversion on the bacteria's physiological state (a decrease of around 40 % in DSM 17938 cells showing an enzymatic activity after 3 h) and survival (total loss of cultivability after 2 or 3 h depending on the strains) was revealed and discussed. The effect of each metabolite on L. reuteri DSM 17938 was further investigated, displaying a drastic inhibition caused by 3-HPA, while 3-HP induced lower impact and only at acidic pH.

BACKGROUND: Bioconversion is a promising route to produce bio-based building blocks such as 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP). Reactive extraction can be used for 3-HP recovery, and ultimately integrated to the bioconversion process. To the best of our knowledge, there is no published experimental data about the reactive extraction of 3-HP. This work aimed to study the extraction of 3-HP using tri-n-octylamine and Aliquat 336 as extractants in n-decanol. Comparison was also made with its positional isomer, lactic acid. Finally, the extraction of 3-HP from model and real bioconversion broths was examined.

BACKGROUND: Reactive liquid-liquid extraction is a promising technique for the direct recovery of carboxylic acids from bioconversion media. This work focused on the optimization of 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) reactive extraction assisted by hollow-fiber membrane contactor (HFMC), using tri-n-octylamine (TOA) and Aliquat 336 as extractants in n-decanol, and on its practical application for the recovery of 3-HP obtained from glycerol bioconversion by Lactobacillus reuteri.