Microbial Production of Succinic Acid from Lignocellulose

Introduction

Succinic acid is a four-carbon dicarboxylic acid used as a platform chemical in industries ranging from bioplastics (PBS), pharmaceuticals, solvents, to food and cosmetics. Traditionally derived from petrochemicals via maleic anhydride, succinic acid production is shifting towards renewable microbial fermentation routes due to the push for decarbonization.

One of the most promising sustainable sources is lignocellulosic biomass—an abundant, non-food plant residue made of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Through pretreatment, hydrolysis, and fermentation, engineered microbes can convert this complex biomass into bio-based succinic acid, offering a carbon-neutral and cost-effective alternative to fossil-based methods

What Products Are Produced?

Succinic Acid – Used in:

• Polybutylene succinate (PBS) – Bioplastics
• Solvents & plasticizers – Replacing phthalates
• Food additives – pH regulators and flavoring agents
• Pharmaceuticals – Drug formulation intermediates
• Bioresins and coatings

Pathways and Production Methods

1. Feedstock Preparation from Lignocellulose

Sources: corn stover, wheat straw, sugarcane bagasse, rice husk

• Pretreatment – Steam explosion, dilute acid, alkali
• Enzymatic hydrolysis – Converts cellulose/hemicellulose into C5 (xylose) and C6 (glucose) sugars

2. Fermentation Routes

C6 Fermentation (Glucose-based):

• Glucose → Phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) → Oxaloacetate → Succinic acid
• Pathway: Reductive branch of the TCA cycle

C5 + C6 Co-Fermentation:

• Engineered microbes ferment xylose and glucose simultaneously
• Increases carbon utilization efficiency

Key Conditions:

• Anaerobic or microaerobic fermentation
• Use of CO₂ as a co-substrate to improve yield
• pH neutralization using Mg(OH)₂ or Ca(OH)₂

Catalysts and Key Tools Used

Engineered Microbes:

• Actinobacillus succinogenes – High-yield succinate producer
• Mannheimia succiniciproducens – Native succinate pathway
• E. coli, Corynebacterium glutamicum – Engineered for lignocellulosic sugar fermentation
• Bacillus subtilis – Tolerant to inhibitors from biomass hydrolysate

Key Enzymes:

• PEP carboxykinase
• Malate dehydrogenase
• Fumarate reductase – Essential for conversion to succinate

Process Tools:

• Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF)
• Two-stage fermentation for detoxification + production
• In situ product recovery (ISPR) to reduce inhibition

Case Study: BioAmber – Commercial Production from Corn Residues

Highlights

• Developed large-scale fermentation using engineered E. coli
• Used hydrolyzed corn stover as feedstock
• Achieved over 80 g/L succinic acid titers
• Products targeted for PBS plastic and solvent markets

Timeline

• 2008 – Pilot plant in Canada using glucose
• 2013 – Commercial-scale plant using lignocellulosic feedstock
• 2016 – Expanded to supply bio-based succinic acid to plasticizers and polymer clients
• 2019 – Tech transferred to LCY Chemical Corp after BioAmber bankruptcy

Global and Indian Startups Working in This Area

Global

• LCY Biosciences (Canada) – Successor of BioAmber, using lignocellulose
• Reverdia (DSM + Roquette, Netherlands) – Succinic acid via low-pH yeast
• Myriant (USA) – Succinic acid from sorghum and wheat straw
• Succinity GmbH (Germany) – BASF + Corbion joint venture

India

• CSIR-IIP, NCL Pune, IICT Hyderabad – Working on bagasse to succinate
• IIT Bombay & ICT Mumbai – Optimizing co-fermentation of C5/C6 sugars
• Godavari Biorefineries – Exploring integrated succinic acid production from sugarcane residues
• Startups under DBT-BIRAC – Focus on decentralized bio-based organic acid platforms

Market and Demand

The global succinic acid market was valued at USD 200 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 320 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of ~7%, with bio-based succinic acid expected to surpass 60% market share due to sustainability regulations.

Major End-Use Segments:

• Bioplastics (PBS) and packaging
• Coatings, resins, and solvents
• Food and feed additives
• Pharmaceuticals and personal care

Key Growth Drivers

• Availability of cheap lignocellulosic residues in developing economies
• Push for carbon-neutral platform chemicals
• Demand for phthalate-free plasticizers and resins
• Supportive policies for biorefineries and green materials
• Integration with CO₂-utilizing fermentation routes

Challenges to Address

• Lignin-derived inhibitors reduce microbial performance
• Complexity in C5 + C6 sugar fermentation
• Low productivity in native strains; needs robust engineering
• High purification costs due to fermentation impurities
• Limited commercial traction in India

Progress Indicators

• 2009 – Lignocellulose-based succinic acid proposed at pilot level
• 2013 – First commercial plant by BioAmber (Canada)
• 2018 – Indian researchers demonstrate dual-sugar fermentation
• 2021 – CO₂-enhanced succinic acid production trials
• 2024 – BIRAC-supported pilot projects underway for agri-residue valorization

Lignocellulosic succinic acid production is at TRL 8–9 globally, with established commercial plants; in India, it is at TRL 5–6, progressing through pilot validation and integrated process development.

Conclusion

The microbial production of succinic acid from lignocellulose is a high-potential route that aligns with the circular bioeconomy and low-carbon industry goals. With ample agricultural waste, microbial tools, and industrial enzyme technologies, countries like India can become leaders in bio-based platform chemical production.

Targeting markets like bioplastics, coatings, and eco-solvents, this pathway not only reduces environmental impact but also unlocks rural biomass value chains, supporting economic and ecological sustainability.

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