Economic comparison of calcium fumarate and sodium fumarate production by Rhizopus arrhizus

• Published in: Applied biochemistry and biotechnology Vol. 24; pp. 663 - 677
• Main Authors: Gangl, I.C. (Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL), Weigand, W.A, Keller, F.A
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 1990
• Subjects: ACIDE ORGANIQUE; ACIDOS ORGANICOS; ANALISIS ECONOMICO; ANALYSE ECONOMIQUE; Biological and medical sciences; BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTION; Biotechnology; CALCIUM CARBONATE; CARBONATE; CARBONATE DE CALCIUM; CARBONATES; CARBONATO DE CALCIO; CARBONATOS; ECONOMIC ANALYSIS; FERMENTACION; FERMENTATION; FUMARIC ACID; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Health. Pharmaceutical industry; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; ORGANIC ACIDS; Other active biomolecules; Production of active biomolecules; RHIZOPUS; Rhizopus arrhizus; SODIO; SODIUM
• ISSN: 0273-2289; 1559-0291

The economics of using Na sub(2)CO sub(3) rather than CaCO sub(3) as the neutralizing agent in fumaric acid production by Rhizopus arrhizus) is investigated and compared with the benzene route. Because sodium fumarate, unlike calcium fumarate, is soluble, downstream processing is simplified by requiring less equipment and no heat, and also allows the reuse of cells. In spite of a fumaric acid productivity (g/L/h) 2.4 x lower than the CaCO sub(3) case, the Na sub(2)CO sub(3) alternative with cell reuse has a higher rate of return. However, with the current cost of petroleum, the selling price of fumaric acid from the benzene route is half as much as from an idealized Na sub(2)CO sub(3) fermentation.