Nuevo proceso para la producción biotecnológica de ácido lácticointegración de tecnologías de filtración con membranas

Abstract

This Doctoral Thesis contributes to the generation of knowledge in the development of new biotechnological production processes of Lactic Acid (LA). The proposal is based on the integration of membrane technologies to the biotechnological production of AL, using as substrate a residual stream, cheese whey. The viability of the complete fermentation process with previously selected YK strains of the Lactobacillus casei species was studied in a semi-industrial pilot plant, using commercial nanofiltration membranes for the simultaneous separation and concentration of the acid. Additionally the purification and concentration of the lactic acid was approached produced. Finally, the cleaning and sterilization protocols required in the application were developed. Under the considered experimental conditions, final concentrations of lactic acid referring to the serum used of 21.0 g.L-1 were obtained, which are in the interval of conventional methods, moreover in this case, avoiding the use of additional chemicals and the generation of residual streams.