LAUSR

This study deals with the production of isoamyl acetate (IAA) by fermentation of sugar cane molasses with the strain Pichia fermentans ITD00165, using L-leucine as precursor. A mathematical model that describes the experimental data from fermentation was developed for its use as a tool for further process optimization. The fermentation system was constantly aerated and coupled to liquid–liquid in situ extraction with decane as the recovery solvent. Thus, the model integrates the biological production of IAA, its partition coefficient in the two liquid phase system and the stripping effect of aeration. A productivity of 26 mg L−1 h−1 was obtained with addition of 4 g L−1 of L-leucine at 12 h of fermentation. The use of the model for process optimization was explored. According to it, the maximum theoretical productivity that can be obtained is 63 mg L−1 h−1. The model was used to determine that 1.6 g L−1 is the minimum concentration of L-leucine that can be added without significantly reducing IAA production. Also, it makes possible to propose an adequate decane/culture medium ratio, to have a desired final concentration and amount of recovered IAA. This value can be adjusted based on the needs of further purification steps and is useful to define a global economic optimum of the process.