# Strain-Dependent Lactic Acid Fermentation of Capsosiphon fulvescens Hydrolysate by Lactobacillus spp

## TL;DR

This study explores using a green alga as a feedstock for lactic acid production through fermentation by different Lactobacillus strains.

## Contribution

The paper demonstrates the viability of Capsosiphon fulvescens hydrolysate for lactic acid production and highlights strain-dependent fermentation outcomes.

## Key findings

- L. brevis achieved the highest lactic acid titer by utilizing a broader sugar spectrum, including xylose.
- L. rhamnosus showed the highest yield on sugars consumed.
- Co-products like acetic and succinic acids were produced, indicating pathway-specific metabolism.

## Abstract

Seaweeds are promising third-generation biomass for biobased chemicals, yet their use for lactic acid (LA) production remains underexplored. We evaluated LA production from the dilute-acid hydrolysate of the aquacultured green alga Capsosiphon fulvescens (C.Agardh) Setchell & N.L. Gardner. The dried biomass contained 53.4% carbohydrate (dry-weight basis). HPLC showed a monosaccharide profile enriched in L-rhamnose and D-xylose, with lower levels of D-mannose, D-glucose, D-glucuronolactone, and D-glucuronic acid. Batch fermentations with three Lactobacillus strains revealed clear strain-dependent kinetics and carbon partitioning. Maximum LA titers/yields (time at maximum) were 2.0 g L−1/0.49 g g−1 at 9 h for L. rhamnosus, 2.3 g L−1/0.30 g g−1 at 36 h for L. casei, and 2.8 g L−1/0.23 g g−1 at 48 h for L. brevis; L. rhamnosus achieved the highest yield on sugars consumed, whereas L. brevis reached the highest titer by utilizing a broader sugar spectrum, notably xylose; L. casei showed intermediate performance with limited xylose use. Co-products included acetic and succinic acids (major) and trace 1,2-propanediol and acetaldehyde, consistent with flux through Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas versus phosphoketolase pathways. These results demonstrate that C. fulvescens hydrolysate is a viable marine feedstock for LA production and highlight practical levers—expanding pentose/uronic-acid catabolism in high-yield strains and tuning pretreatment severity—to further improve both yield and titer.