Production of protein and fatty acids in the anaerobic fermentation of molasses byE. ruminantium

Abstract

Production of protein and volatile fatty acids by anaerobic digestion of blackstrap molasses was investigated. This protein may have potential as a feed for animals (and, we hope, for humans) in the near future. Volatile fatty acids can be further fermented to produce methane. Fermentation of molasses byEubacterium ruminantium was studied in a chemostat at a constant temperature of 37 C. This study focused on kinetics of growth of the pure culture. The maximum rate of protein production of about 0.326 g/l/hr was obtained when the pH and retention times were 6.2 and between 5 and 7 hrs, respectively. Average cell yield was 12.6% and carbohydrate conversion was 82 to 99%. Volatile fatty acids also were produced, with acetic acid and n‐butyric acid being the predominant products. Two different kinetic models were used to fit the experimental data. The kinetic parameters obtained for the Monod model were: μmax=0.207 (1/hr); ks=0.165 g/l.

Volatile Fatty Acid Production from Saccharina japonica Extracts by Anaerobic Fermentation: Evaluation of Various Environmental Parameters for VFAs Productivity

“…혐기성 발효에 사용된 미생물은 하수처리장의 혐기성 소화 조 슬러지(부산환경공단 수영사업소)를 사용하였으며, 영양분 으로는 NH4HCO3 2.00000 g/L, KH2PO4 1.00000 g/L, MgSO4･ 7H2O 0.01000 g/L, NaCl 0.00100 g/L, Na2MoO4･2H2O 0.00100 g/L, CaCl･2H2O 0.00100 g/L, MnSO4･7H2O 0.00150 g/L, FeCl2 0.00278 g/L을 사용하였다 [19].…”