Fermentation for Organic Acids

Organic acids are one of important fermentation products. As a leading CDMO, BOC Sciences supports organic acid fermentation, offering an alternative and sustainable route to produce a wide range of valuable organic acids for our customers across industries. Our strong fermentation capabilities allow large-scale fermentation production of organic acids.

What is Mixed Acid Fermentation?

Mixed acid fermentation is a specific type of anaerobic metabolism employed by certain microorganisms to extract energy from organic compounds. Mixed acid fermentation process begins with the utilization of glucose or other fermentable carbohydrates as substrates that are enzymatically broken down into pyruvate, which is then further converted into a variety of organic acids, including acetic acid, lactic acid, formic acid, succinic acid, and propionic acid, among others. Additionally, by-products such as ethanol, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen gas are also formed during this intricate process.

Mixed Acid Fermentation Test

The mixed acid fermentation test is used to identify specific bacteria and assess their metabolic capabilities. In the test, a bacterium is inoculated into a medium containing glucose and specific pH indicators. If the bacterium possesses the ability to perform mixed acid fermentation, it will produce a combination of organic acids, leading to a decrease in pH. This pH drop causes the pH indicators to change color, enabling to identify the bacterium based on the unique pattern of acid production.

Organic Acid Fermentation

Mixed acid fermentation is metabolic pathway that leads to the production of various organic acids. Organic acid fermentation holds significant importance in various industries due to its eco-friendly and sustainable nature. BOC Sciences provides process development for organic acid production:

Production of Organic Acids by Fermentation

Name	Structure	Applications
Lactic acid		It is a key component in the food and beverage industry.
Acetic acid		Acetic acid is a vital solvent in the chemical industry as well as contributing to the production of synthetic fibers and polymers.
Citric acid		It is widely used as a flavoring agent, an acidulant, and a pH regulator.
Succinic acid		It serves as a key intermediate in the production of biodegradable plastics and synthetic resins.
Formic acid		Formic acid is a tanning agent used in the leather industry to stabilize hides and skins. Moreover, it is used to make additives for animal feed.

Case Study: Organic Acid Fermentation in Sustainable Bioplastic Production

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastics, which are not biodegradable and causing pollution. Bioplastics, made from renewable resources, offer a promising solution to this issue.
Polybutylene succinate (PBS), a particular bioplastic, has gained attention due to its biodegradability and potential for various applications. The workflow of PBS production:

The production of PBS begins with the microbial production of succinic acid, usually using C. glutamicum or E. coli as hosts.
Microbial succinic acid is purified from the neutral fermentation broth.
PBS is produced by the polycondensation reaction of microbial succinic acid with 1,4-butanediol.
PBS is characterized by 1H NMR and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Organic Acid Fermentation