Addressing temperature gradient challenge in scaling up solid-state fermentation

Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is a promising approach for sustainable bioproduction production, particularly when using organic waste as a substrate. However, temperature gradients inherent to large-scale SSF often reduce process efficiency. This study developed a strategy for designing of a lipope...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Bueno Mancebo, José Antonio|||0009-0005-7740-8690, Artola, Adriana|||0000-0002-0524-2119, Farooq, Syeda Amna|||0009-0001-5311-8606, Barrena, Raquel|||0000-0002-6077-7765, Gea Leiva, Teresa|||0000-0003-2523-4797
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2026
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:324657
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/324657
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.1016/j.bej.2025.110037
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Lipopeptide
Bacillus subtilis
Thermophiles
Biosurfactants
Biowaste
Descripción
Sumario:Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is a promising approach for sustainable bioproduction production, particularly when using organic waste as a substrate. However, temperature gradients inherent to large-scale SSF often reduce process efficiency. This study developed a strategy for designing of a lipopeptide biosurfactant production process, scaling SSF in packed-bed bioreactors by thermophilic strains using winterisation oil cake (WOC) and sugarcane molasses (MOL) as nutrient sources. Fermentations at lab-scale (0.5 L) and pilot-scale (50 L) demonstrated a robust and reproducible process despite temperature changes from microbial activity. Among the strains tested, Bacillus subtilis CBI-7S1 was the highest producer, with optimal substrates amounts of 24 g of WOC and 12 g of MOL, producing 24.9 mg of crude lipopeptides per gram of dry matter (DM) at 0.5 L scale. These conditions were reproduced at pilot scale, with concentrations from 12 to 24 mg g DM. Moisture content strongly influenced biosurfactant production, while oxygen consumption was a reliable monitoring parameter. Surface tension was evaluated under different pH, temperature, and salinity, and mass spectrometry identified surfactin, iturin, and fengycin congeners. These findings provide insights into overcoming temperature gradients during scale-up and show that thermophilic strains enable biosurfactant production under SSF at pilot scale. This approach enhances SSF technological maturity, supporting its broader use in sustainable production of targeted metabolites across diverse bioprocesses.