Bioconversion of whey to 2,3-butanediol using <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Klebsiella oxytoca </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">NRRL-13-199 </span>

Abstract

Biotechnological production of 2,3-butanediol (BD), a value added chemical, from wastes and with excessive biomass is a promising and attractive alternative to traditional chemical synthesis. The production of BD by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Klebsiella oxytoca </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">NRRL-13-199 from deproteinated whey was studied in batch fermentations at pH 6.5. Lactose present in the deproteinated whey was found to be effectively utilized by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">K. oxytoca</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic">, producing BD 0.259 g/g of lactose utilized after an incubation period of 96 h. Moreover, addition of acetate at a concentration of 50 mM was found to increase the yield by 1.5-fold, resulting in BD 0.365 g/g lactose utilized. During the process, COD (chemical oxygen demand) reduction of 87% was observed in addition to 91% BOD (biological oxygen demand) reduction. Thus, the present process of utilization of whey by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">K. oxytoca</i> clearly shows that it not only helps in the production of value added chemical BD from the waste but also helps in reducing the environmental problems faced with the disposal of untreated or unfermented whey directly into the river.

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