Characterization of volatile fatty-acid utilization in Escherichia coli aiming for robust valorisation of food residues.

ABSTRACT: Valorisation of food residues would greatly benefit from development of robust processes that create added value compared to current feed- and biogas applications. Recent advances in membrane-bioreactor-based open mixed microbial cultures, enable robust conversion of fluctuating streams of food residues to a mixture of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). In this study, such a mixed stream of VFAs was investigated as a substrate for Escherichia coli, a well-studied organism suitable for application in further conversion of the acids into compounds of higher value, and/or that are easier to separate from the aqueous medium. E. coli was cultured in batch on a VFA-rich anaerobic digest of food residues, tolerating up to 40 mM of total VFAs without any reduction in growth rate. In carbon-limited chemo

SUBMITTER: Sjoberg G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7568742 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature