Fed-Batch and Sequential-Batch Approaches to Enhance the Bioproduction of 2-Phenylethanol and 2-Phenethyl Acetate in Solid-State Fermentation Residue-Based Systems

Abstract

This study describes the use of alternative operational strategies in the solid-state fermentation of the agro-industrial leftover sugar cane bagasse (SCB) supplemented with l-phenylalanine, for bioproducing natural 2-phenylethanol (2-PE) and 2-phenethyl acetate (2-PEA) using K. marxianus. Here, fed-batch and sequential-batch have been assessed at two scales (1.6 and 22 L) as tools to increase the production, as well as to enhance the sustainability of this residue-based process. While in the reference batch strategy a maximum of 17 mg of 2-PE+2-PEA per gram of added SCB was reached at both scales, the implementation of fed-batch mode induced a production increase of 11.6% and 12.5%, respectively. Also, the production was increased by 16.9% and 2.4% as compared to the batch when a sequential-batch mode was used. Furthermore, the use of these strategies was accompanied by lower consumption of key resources like the inoculum, air, and time, promoting savings between 22% and 76% at both scales.