Optimized feeding schemes of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process for high lactic acid titer from sugarcane bagasse

A simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process of pretreated sugarcane bagasse by Lactobacillus pentosus was designed and optimized for lactic acid (LA) production. Different feeding schemes in SSF process were studied for their effects on LA production efficiency. In addition to feeding optimization, adaptation of seed cultivation in hydrolysates was necessary to achieve high LA yield and productivity. LA yield and productivity was enhanced by 1.43 folds with cell feeding in comparison to initial cell addition in SSF. Likewise, pulse enzyme feeding was preferred condition for high LA production efficiency. A combinatorial feeding of pretreated bagasse, enzyme and cell enables a maximum LA titer of 72.75 g/L by L. pentosus with 0.61 g/g LA yield and 1.01 g/L-hr LA productivity. The SSF process with optimizing feeding scheme of pretreated biomass, enzyme and cell could provide lignocellulose-based process platform for achieving high LA titer meeting techno-economic requirements.