Influence of different vitamin-nitrogen sources on cell growth and propionic acid production from sucrose by Propionibacterium shermanii

Abstract

Cell growth and organic acid production by Propionibacteria are dependent on the vitamin-nitrogen source in the culture medium. Final cell and propionic acid concentrations produced by Propionibacterium shermanii, using corn-steep liquor, were higher than those obtained utilizing yeast extracts. Since corn-steep liquor is much cheaper than yeast extract, the process becomes more attractive. By calculating the specific growth rates, it was observed that the critical propionic acid concentration, that prevents all growth (μ(X) = 0), is different depending on the vitamin-nitrogen source used and its concentration. For example, for 5.0 and 15.0 g/l Oxoid yeast extract, those critical propionic acid concentrations were 16.0 and 27.0 g/l, respectively. Such propionic acid concentrations inhibit the cell growth, but not the formation of acid. The specific propionic acid production rate also indicates that the critical concentration for metabolic activity, when propionic acid is no longer produced (μ(P) = 0), varies according to the vitamin-nitrogen source and its concentration in the medium. For 5.0 and 15.0 g/l Oxoid yeast extract, those concentrations were 22.1 and 30.1 g/l, respectively.