# High-Yield Production of Dihydroxyacetone from Crude Glycerol in Fed-Batch Cultures of Gluconobacter oxydans

## TL;DR

Scientists used a bacteria strain to efficiently convert crude glycerol into dihydroxyacetone, achieving high yields by optimizing pH and feeding methods.

## Contribution

The study introduces an optimized fed-batch process for high-yield dihydroxyacetone production from crude glycerol using Gluconobacter oxydans.

## Key findings

- A maximum dihydroxyacetone concentration of 175.8 g·L−1 was achieved.
- A high yield of 94.3% was obtained with an initial glycerol concentration of 70.0 g·L−1 and pH 5.0.
- Fed-batch cultures were found suitable for efficient dihydroxyacetone production.

## Abstract

The strain Gluconobacter oxydans LMG 1385 was used for the bioconversion of crude glycerol to dihydroxyacetone. The suitability of fed-batch cultures for the production of dihydroxyacetone was determined, and the influence of the pH of the culture medium and the initial concentration of glycerol on maximizing the concentration of dihydroxyacetone and on the yield and speed of obtaining dihydroxyacetone by bioconversion was examined. The feeding strategy of the substrate (crude glycerol) during the process was based on measuring the dissolved oxygen tension of the culture medium. The highest concentration of dihydroxyacetone PK = 175.8 g·L−1 and the highest yield YP/Sw = 94.3% were obtained when the initial concentration of crude glycerol was S0 = 70.0 g·L−1 and the pH of the substrate was maintained during the process at level 5.0.