Complete scheme for biosuccinic acid production from candy-factory waste with simultaneous fermentation-electrochemical product recovery, and purification

Abstract

Succinic acid is a high-value platform chemical with a wide range of industrial applications, making its sustainable production an area of increasing interest. However, a key challenge preventing biologically produced succinic acid from becoming economically competitive with petrochemical-based production lies in the inefficiencies associated with both upstream and downstream processing. In this study, we present a comprehensive platform for the biological production of succinic acid, using industrial waste from candy production as a substrate. This approach integrates upstream and downstream processes through the use of an in-situ electrochemical succinic acid recovery system, significantly simplifying the overall production workflow. As a result, the downstream process was reduced to just five steps, compared to the more complex nine-step processes described in existing literature. The proposed method demonstrated high separation yields of 86 % and a purity level of 92 %, showcasing its efficiency. Furthermore, the in-situ recovery strategy led to a 15 % increase in succinic acid yield, a 10.2 % improvement in overall productivity, and a 13.5 % increase in substrate consumption when compared to traditional batch fermentation processes. These results highlight the potential of this integrated platform to enhance the economic feasibility of biologically produced succinic acid on an industrial scale.