Low‐cost medium for 1,3‐propanediol production from crude glycerol by Clostridium butyricum

Abstract Bio‐based 1,3‐propanediol demand has increased in recent years; however, its production costs are still not competitive in some markets. In this study, Plackett–Burman designs were used to cost medium reduction and 1,3‐propanediol production improvement with Clostridium butyricum. A simple culture medium for 1,3‐propanediol production from crude glycerol using the strain C. butyricum NCIMB 8082 was obtained by eliminating nine components of the usual culture medium. A 5 L fermentation using this simple culture medium was carried out in two steps. The final 1,3‐propanediol concentration was 73.07 g.L−1, achieving a productivity of 3.7 g.L−1.h−1 during the fed‐batch step. The low‐cost medium resulted in a 37% reduction in culture medium cost and a saving of 31% per kg for 1,3‐propandiol produced in comparison with other non‐complex media for 1,3‐propanediol production from crude glycerol reported in the literature © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.