ACETATE PRODUCTION BY CLOSTRIDIUM-THERMOACETICUM IN CORN STEEP LIQUORMEDIA

A low-cost nutrient medium based on corn steep liquor (CSL) was develo ped for the production of acetates by Clostridium thermoaceticum. Pre- treatment of CSL with dolime and vitamin supplementation increased the rate of acetate production. Adding excess nutrients in a fed-batch mo de minimized by-product formation and increased final acetate concentr ation from 19 g L(-1) to 40 g L(-1) acetic acid. High yields of acetic acid (0.95 g g(-1) glucose in fed-batch mode) was probably due to the conversion of the lactic acid in CSL into acetic acid by the organism .