Development of a reversible binding process for in situ removal of 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde during biotechnological conversion of glycerol

3-Hydroxypropionaldehyde (3-HPA) has a great potential in the pharmaceutical-, food-, and chemical industry as a potent antimicrobial compound and chemical precursor. Until now it is not commercially available, occurring only as intermediate in production of petro-derived 1,3-propanediol. In this study, we developed a new method for 3-HPA isolation, biotechnologically produced by Lactobacillus reuteri. A composition of an Amberlite anion exchange resin and hydrogensulfite (IRA-SO3H) was generated to extract 3-HPA from the complex mixture of the production medium. 3-HPA was successfully recovered and concentrated in a pure form. Using this approach, IRA-SO3H was evaluated to bind 3-HPA throughout the bioconversion. The IRA-SO3H successfully bound already produced 3-HPA without decreasing L. reuteri viability. However, new 3-HPA formation was repressed. To conclude, our data showed for the first time the selective extraction of 3-HPA from the bioconversion medium and its subsequent recovery. Future work is needed to adapt this system to an in situ product removal process not interfering with the bioconversion.

► 3-HPA can be selectively removed during its biotechnological production.
► 3-HPA can be selectively recovered from the support.
► The support was a resin in the bisulfite form.