Abstract
1,3-Propanediol (1,3-PDO) is a bifunctional organic compound used for many synthesis reactions. This molecule can be obtained by chemical or biochemical route. The natural substrate for microbial production of 1,3-PDO is glycerol. So, a way to cheapen 1,3-PDO production process by biochemical route is to use glycerol from biodiesel production. As demand and production of biodiesel grow exponentially, the utilization of glycerol becomes an urgent topic. In the present work, it was evaluated Citrobacter freundii ATCC 8090 capacity to produce 1,3-PDO from crude glycerol. The glycerol used was from a pilot plant of PETROBRAS. The tests were carried out in rotary shaker at 250 rpm and 30 °C for 24 h under anaerobic conditions. The glycerol consume, 1,3-PDO production and byproducts were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This strain was capable to consume crude glycerol and produce 1,3-PDO, reaching a concentration of 4.85 g.L-1. The 1,3-PDO yield was approximately 29 % and biomass yield about 7 %, but acetic acid was also produced in high amounts, reaching 9.72 g·L-1, double of 1,3-PDO. Another organic acid was also produced, succinic acid, with a yield about 15 %. The results showed that C. freundii ATCC 8090 has capacity to consume glycerol from biodiesel production even its containing wastes (triglycerides, salts, methanol, catalyst). So, this strain has potential to be used in the bioprocesses of interest, 1,3-PDO production from crude glycerol.
