Production of 2,3-butanediol in a membrane bioreactor with cell recycle

Summary The production of 2,3-butanediol by Enterobacter aerogenes DSM 30053 was studied in a cell recycle system with a microfiltration module. Emphasis was put on the influence of oxygen supply, cell residence time, dilution rate, and pH. Under optimal conditions a productivity as high as 14.6 g butanediol + acetoin/l per hour was achieved with a product concentration of 54 g/l and a product yield of 88%. This productivity is three times higher than that of an ordinary continuous culture. The achievable final product concentration of a cell recycle system was limited by the accumulation of the inhibiting by-product acetic acid, which increased very rapidly at low dilution rate. To maximize product concentration a fed-batch fermentation was carried out with stepwise pH adaption at high cell density. A final product concentration of 110 g/l was obtained with a productivity of 5.4 g/l per hour and a yield of 97%.