Upscaled Bioammonium/Ammonia Production by Clostridium Aminophilum Cultured with Soy Protein Isolate

The goal of this study was to scale up the production of bioammonium/ammonia (BAA) by Clostridium aminophilum from test tube size small batches of 1.0 g of soy protein isolate (SPI) with 10 mL of salt solution to the lab scale bioreactor level of 1.8 kg·18 L–1 salt solution in amounts required for precision fertigation in field trials. An 18 L bioreactor was designed and constructed similar to commercially available lab scale bioreactors. Novel methods were implemented to maintain sterility and anaerobic conditions throughout the preparation and operation of the bioreactor. C. aminophilum was cultured at rates of 1.8 kg·18 L–1 salt solution, ultimately producing a BAA mean concentration of 82.9 mM, which was 34% greater than the amount achieved in the test tubes of 61.7 mM.