Lactic Acid Production from Sequential Inorganic Salt Pretreated Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch via Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation

Abstract

Lactic acid is produced from inorganic salt pretreated oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) for the first time through simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF). OPEFB is an agricultural waste that can be turned into lactic acid (LA), a highly desired chemical product. An inorganic salt (Na3PO4.12H2O-FeCl3) pretreatment precedes SSF with Bacillus coagulans DSM2314. The effect of solid loading, concentration CaCO3 and enzyme loading on LA generation is studied using design of experiments. The results show that solid loading and concentration CaCO3 affect LA yield. 50g/L biomass, 50g/L CaCO3 concentration, and 50 FPU/g cellulase enzyme yield maximal LA (46.66/L) and yield (0.93/g OPEFB). The model created to predict LA production was then validated.