Fumaric Acid Production from Rhizopus arrhizus FRA 23 using Airlift Loop Reactor

This research deals with the production of fumaric acid from Rhizopus arrhizus FRA 23 using airlift loop reactor. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient is decreased from 0.20 to 0.08 S -1at superficial air velocity of 4.8 cm/s. When the air flow rate is increased from 0.5 to 1.0 vvm, the furmaric acid production is increased from 15 to 20 mg/L. On the other hand, it is decreased from 20 to 18.1mg/L when the air flow rate is increased from 1.0 to 2.0 vvm. The fumaricacid production is increased with corresponding to cassava concentration by 60 g/L. However, it is not increased at over 80 g/L of cassava meal. When the inorganic nitrogen sources such as urea and ammonium sulfate were used, the fumaric acid production and yield ranged of 16.3-18.2 mg/L and 39.7-40.3%, respectively. While the organic nitrogen sources such as corn steep liquor, yeast extract, and soybean peptone were used, the fumaric acid production and yield ranged of 28.7-32.5 mg/L and 47.6-51%, respectively. These results show that the airlift loop reactor can be useful for the effective production of fumaric acid from Rhizopus arrhizus FRA 23.