Production and recovery of 2,3-butanediol from whey permeate
Transforming whey permeate, a dairy byproduct, into 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD), a valuable industrial chemical, through optimized fermentation and membrane separation techniques. This approach addresses economic and environmental challenges while tapping into a $1.4 billion market.
Overview
This innovative solution focuses on converting whey permeate, a low-value byproduct of the dairy industry, into 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD), a versatile chemical with significant industrial applications. With the global market for 2,3-BD valued at approximately $1.4 billion, this process not only offers a sustainable way to utilize waste but also taps into an expanding market. The approach involves optimizing fermentation using Enterobacter hormaechei and developing an efficient recovery process through membrane separation, thereby providing a scalable and cost-effective production method.
Technical specifications
- Fermentation Optimization: Using pH control and fed-batch fermentation to increase 2,3-BD titers from whey permeate, aiming for commercially viable levels of 65-80 g/L.
- Microbial Strain: Enterobacter hormaechei, sequenced and characterized for high 2,3-BD production from lactose.
- Recovery Process: Utilizes selective membrane separation to overcome challenges associated with the high-water affinity and high boiling point of 2,3-BD, enhancing selectivity and energy efficiency.
- pH Control: Incorporation of CaCO₃ to stabilize pH, reducing fermentation time and allowing reuse across multiple cycles.
Technology readiness level
The technology is currently at TRL 4, indicating that it has been validated in a laboratory environment. Further development will involve scaling up the process in a 75-liter pilot-scale bioreactor, in collaboration with the University of Illinois and the Center for Dairy Research at UW–Madison, to refine and optimize production and recovery techniques.
About University of Wisconsin, Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is the state’s flagship public research university, a comprehensive institution with a large research enterprise and broad disciplinary breadth. Industry engages through shared instrumentation, pilot‑scale testbeds, and co-located core facilities that support prototyping and scale-up. An affiliated research and technology park hosts startups and corporate R&D, while integration with a major hospital system enables clinical translation; a statewide extension network connects campus advances to companies and communities across Wisconsin. Research is sustained by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NIH, NSF, DOE, USDA, and DoD, alongside state and industry partnerships. Dedicated commercialization support—through an affiliated foundation and campus offices—provides IP management, licensing, startup mentoring, and flexible, industry-friendly agreements.
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