Optimization of Syngas Feed for Improved Bioethanol Production with Clostridium Ragsdalei

Abstract

In recent years air pollution has been seriously affecting human health. One of the main contributors to this problem is the formation of syngas from industrial processes. This gas consists of hazardous components including CO, COX, NOX. The fermentation of these C1 gases to produce bioethanol is one of the novel solutions towards a cleaner environment. Considering, the foreseen exhaustion of fossil fuels in 50 years, the production of bioethanol appears as a valuable solution towards this emerging need for alternative energy sources. In this context, in the present study, Clostridium ragsdalei was used to evaluate the effects of incrementing volumes (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 mL) of syngas feed on growth and ethanol production by using two different media namely basal ATCC media and Differential Reinforced Clostridial Media (DRCM). The highest yield achieved with 20 mL of syngas was 600 mg/L with the commonly used ATCC media. On the other hand, while this media resulted in higher ethanol yields, the utilization of its counterpart media (DRCM) gave interesting results with the production of acetate reaching almost 3000 mg/L. These results demonstrated the effectiveness of ATCC media with the optimized volume of syngas feed to produce bioethanol.