Room: Amazon
Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Time: 16:15 - 17:15 CEST
Session code 6BO.11
Platforms for bio-based chemicals and polymers - Process developments
Gas Fermentation Dynamics: Effect of Operational Variables on Product Yield And Selectivity by Mixed Cultures
Short Introductive summary
This study explores how key operational parameters (pH, temperature, syngas load) affect microbial community dynamics and product synthesis in syngas bioconversion using mixed cultures. Methanogenic activity was assessed under baseline conditions (pH 7.0, 37 °C, 60% syngas load). A pH of 7.0 supported the synthesis of a mixture of VFAs and ethanol, while a pH of 8.0 increased acetate selectivity (86%). Regarding syngas load, higher loads (80–90%) favoured chain elongation and solventogenesis, resulting in the production of butyrate (up to 450 mg L-1) and ethanol (up to 300 mg L-1). Temperature also played a significant role: lower temperatures (25 °C) improved acetate yield and selectivity (0.95 g acetate g-1 syngas, 82%). Overall, this works demonstrates that microbial cultures offer a robust and flexible platform for syngas valorisation. Acetate was the main product under mild temperatures (25-30ºC) and neutral pH (7.0-8.0), while high syngas loads promoted chain elongation and solventogenesis. Ongoing bioreactor experiments aim to validate these findings and determine optimal conditions for maximizing product yield and selectivity.
Presenter
Silvia GARCIA
University of Valladolid, SPAIN
Presenter's biography
PhD student in the Chemical and Environmental Engineering program at the University of Valladolid. Her research focuses on developing innovative biotechnological processes for the valorization of syngas, converting it into value-added products.
Biographies and Short introductive summaries are supplied directly by presenters and are published here unedited
Co-authors:
R. Lebrero, University of Valladolid, SPAIN
R. Muñoz, University of Valladolid, SPAIN
Session reference: 6BO.11.1