Enterobacter sp. LU1 as a novel succinic acid producer – co‐utilization of glycerol and lactose

Succinic acid is an important C4‐building chemical platform for many applications. A novel succinic acid‐producing bacterial strain was isolated from goat rumen. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA sequence and physiological analysis indicated that the strain belongs to the genus Enterobacter. This is the first report of a wild bacterial strain from the genus Enterobacter that is capable of efficient succinic acid production. Co‐fermentation of glycerol and lactose significantly improved glycerol utilization under anaerobic conditions, debottlenecking the utilization pathway of this valuable biodiesel waste product. Succinic acid production reached 35 g l(−1) when Enterobacter sp. LU1 was cultured in medium containing 50 g l(−1) of glycerol and 25 g l(−1) of lactose as carbon sources.