S46: Succinic acid production from glycerol using Basfia succiniciproducens

Succinic acid is one of the most discussed platform chemicals from renewable resources. Succinic acid and its salts have several applications as monomers for polymers, feed and pharmaceutical products as well as being converted into currently chemically synthesized compounds of the C4 carbon value chain . Basfia succiniciproducens DD1, a recently isolated bacterium capable of converting numerous mono- and disaccharides into organic acids, has been also found to convert glycerol into succinic acid, albeit with low yield and turnover. We have analyzed the genome of B. succiniciproducens and found all genes necessary for the uptake and conversion of glycerol. In addition, a metabolic yield analysis suggested that conversion of glycerol and CO₂ into succinic acid showed an insufficient carbon and energy yield for efficient biomass production. Experiments on the level of physiology and strain development, as well as process development have improved the glycerol turnover significantly. All important limitations have been overcome to yield a strain and a process for efficient turnover of glycerol and CO₂ into succinic acid with superior carbon yield. Work is in progress to upscale the process into a commercial scale.