Short communicationSuccinic acid production by fermentation of Jerusalem artichoke tuber hydrolysate with Actinobacillus succinogenes 130Z

- Jerusalem artichoke tubers as feedstock for succinic acid production.
- Dilute acid/thermal hydrolysis of tuber inulin.
- Fermentation of synthetic- and tuber hydrolysates using Actinobacillus succinogenes.
- Tuber hydrolysate fermented without addition of nutrients.

In this work, Actinobacillus succinogenes 130Z was used to produce succinic acid from Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) tuber hydrolysate in batch fermentations. A simple dilute acid hydrolysis method was used, avoiding the addition of enzymes. Results showed that both fructose and glucose in the tuber hydrolysate were fermented simultaneously to succinic acid. The addition of yeast extract and other nutrients was not strictly required for succinic acid production, although it affected process performance, mainly product yield and cell growth rate. The highest succinic acid titre of 47.9 g l−1 was obtained when undiluted hydrolysate was fermented. Succinic acid yield from diluted tuber hydrolysate (1:1 with medium) was 10% higher compared to the process with undiluted hydrolysate. Our work clearly demonstrates that Jerusalem artichoke tubers are a promising feedstock for production of succinic acid using A. succinogenes.