Low-cost medium for 1,3-propanediol production from crude glycerol byClostridium butyricum

Bio-based 1,3-propanediol demand has increased in recent years; however, its production costs are still not competitive in some markets. In this study, Plackett-Burman designs were used to cost medium reduction and 1,3-propanediol production improvement withClostridium butyricum. A simple culture medium for 1,3-propanediol production from crude glycerol using the strainC. butyricumNCIMB 8082 was obtained by eliminating nine components of the usual culture medium. A 5 L fermentation using this simple culture medium was carried out in two steps. The final 1,3-propanediol concentration was 73.07 g.L-1, achieving a productivity of 3.7 g.L-1.h(-1)during the fed-batch step. The low-cost medium resulted in a 37% reduction in culture medium cost and a saving of 31% per kg for 1,3-propandiol produced in comparison with other non-complex media for 1,3-propanediol production from crude glycerol reported in the literature (c) 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.