Three-stage process for tequila vinasse valorization through sequential lactate, biohydrogen and methane production.

This study evaluated a novel three-stage process devoted to the cascade production of lactate, biohydrogen and methane from tequila vinasse (TV), with emphasis on attaining a high and stable biohydrogen production rate (HPR) by utilizing lactate as biohydrogen precursor. In the first stage, tailored operating conditions applied to a sequencing batch reactor were effective in sustaining a lactate concentration of 12.4 g/L, corresponding to 89% of the total organic acids produced.

Changes in performance and bacterial communities in a continuous biohydrogen-producing reactor subjected to substrate- and pH-induced perturbations.

The performance and microbial communities of a continuous dark fermentation reactor exposed to perturbations induced by substrate change and acidic pH shock were investigated. A mesophilic well-mixed reactor separately fed with two types of tequila vinasses (TVs) and lactose was operated at a fixed pH of 5.5, except during short-term pH (3.

Effect of process parameters on enhanced biohydrogen production from tequila vinasse via the lactate-acetate pathway.

In this study, a lactate-type fermentation entailing the consumption of lactate and acetate (lactate-acetate pathway) is proposed to deal with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inhibition during the production of biohydrogen (bioH) from tequila vinasse. The effects of total solids content, substrate concentration, nutrient formulation and inoculum addition on bioH production performance were investigated. Batch experiments were performed in a 3-L completely mixed reactor at 35 °C and pH 6.