Biodiesel Byproduct and Biofuel Synthesizing Clostridium acetobutylicum

Abstract

In the manufacture of biodiesel, glycerol is a byproduct.  Acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation by anaerobe Clostridium acetobutylicum ia also a source of biofuel.  Growth of C. acetobutylicum in the presence of waste biodiesel glycerol byproduct was examined in this investigation.  In cultures containing added glucose or a mixture of glucose and byproduct the optical density (OD) was increased and a positive fermentation reaction was exhibited while results in cultures containing byproduct or pure glycerol were similar to those in the base medium.  The pH of cultures containing glucose markedly decreased. The concentration of glucose dropped to an undetectable level.  All cultures were determined to contain alcohol.  The potential applications for biodiesel glycerol byproduct need to e explored.