Industrial Process of Glutamic Acid Production

ananatis AJ13355 was isolated as a bacterium growing at acidic pH conditions and showing tolerance to high glutamic acid concentration by Ajinomoto Co. 

Industrial fermentative production of glutamic acid includes three main steps large-scale cultivation in tank, separation, and purification of glutamic acid from the culture. Each step is computer-controlled, and process operation systems have been established. 

As the downstream process of glutamic acid fermentation, separation and purification of glutamic acid from the culture are also important, including decolorization and crystaUization. Glutamic acid in the culture broth can be easily separated and purified by crystallization. Since the isoelectric point of glutamic acid is 3.2, it can be easily crystalHzed by decreasing the pH of the culture broth with acids because of its the low solubility. After the crystallization, the transition of crystal types (a to ), neutralization with alkali, decolorization with active carbon, and concentration are carried out, as a result of which pure sodium salt of glutamic acid can be obtained. 

After the completion of glutamic acid fermentation, the culture waste, including cells, ammonia, phosphate, potassium, and magnesium, remains. This waste can be utilized as fertihzer. 

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