Influence of growth factor supplements on butyric acid production from sucrose byClostridium butyricum

During batch fermentation of sucrose to butyric acid byClostridium butyricum the effect of growth factor supplementation was determined: addition of yeast extract (5 g/L) stimulated most. Using biotin as the sole growth factor, average productivity was definitely lower. Beet molasses as a combined source of carbon and growth factor were effective only at a high concentration (150 g/L). The optimal butyric acid production (45 g/L, yield 45%) was achieved with sucrose concentration of 100 g/L in a medium supplemented with yeast extract (5 g/L). It represents an average productivity of 0.90 gL⁻¹ h⁻¹ and relative butyric acid concentration of 91%.