Production Of (2r,3r)-Butanediol By Paenibacillus Polymyxa Pm 3605 From Crude Glycerol Supplemented With Sugarcane Molasses

2,3-Butanediol (2,3-BDO) is a chemical platform used in several applications, such as cosmetics, medicines, polymers, and fuels. Its levo-isomer is used as an antifreeze agent of industrial interest. Glycerol has been extensively investigated to produce 2,3-BDO by different bacteria. However, few studies involving Paenibacillus polymyxa and glycerol have been conducted so far. In this study, biodiesel-derived glycerol was used for the 2,3-BDO production by P. polymyxa PM 3605. About 14.5 g/L of 2,3-BDO was obtained from 50 g/L of crude glycerol in shaken flasks at 37 degrees C and 200 rpm. By supplementing the glycerol-containing medium with 10 g/L of sugarcane molasses, the final 2,3-BDO production was enhanced to up to 19 g/L. This was the highest 2,3-BDO titer produced by the P. polymyxa strain from crude glycerol as the main carbon source, and sugarcane molasses as a secondary substrate, until now. The selectivity of levo-2,3-BDO was high, and the production of meso-2,3-BDO and acetoin were not detected. As 2,3-BDO metabolism is dependent on strict oxygen control to ensure a microaerobic condition, the production found here has potential for improvement, indicating that the glycerol use by P. polymyxa PM 3605 is promising for the levo-2,3-BDO synthesis.