Abstract
Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) is a low-value by-product of the brewing
process, which is produced in large quantities every year. In this
study, the lignocellulosic feedstock was used to run solid state
fermentations with Cellulomonas uda. For aerobic processes,
maximum cellulase activities of 0.98 nkat∙ml-1,
maximum xylanase activities of 5.00 nkat∙ml-1 and cell
yields of 0.22
gCells∙gBSG-1 were
achieved. Under anaerobic conditions, enzyme activities and cell yields
were lower, but valuable liquid products (organic acids, ethanol) were
produced with a yield of 0.41
gProd∙gBSG-1. The
growth phase of the organisms was monitored by measuring extracellular
concentrations of two fluorophores pyridoxin (aerobic) and tryptophan
(anaerobic) and by cell count. By applying reductive conditions to the
anaerobic approach, the ratio of ethanol to acetate was increased from
1.08 to 1.59
molEtOH∙molAc-1. This
ratio was further improved to 9.2
molEtOH∙molAc-1 by
lowering the pH from 7.4 to 5.0 without decreasing the final ethanol
concentration. A scale up fermentation with 15w% BSG instead of 5w%
BSG quadrupled the acetate concentration, whilst ethanol was removed by
gas stripping. This study provides various ideas for optimizing and
monitoring solid state fermentations, which can support feasibility and
incorporation into holistic biorefining approaches in the future.