Liquid–Liquid Equilibrium and Molecular Toxicity of Active and Inert Diluents of the Organic Mixture Tri-iso-octylamine/Dodecanol/Dodecane as a Potential Liquid Membrane for Lactic Acid Removal

Lactic acid can be in situ removed from a fermentation broth through reactive liquid extraction or a liquid membrane to enhance the fermentation process. The organic mixture tri-iso-octylamine (TiOA)/dodecanol/dodecane at 10 vol % of the amine is a potential organic mixture for lactic acid removal. Liquid–liquid equilibria with lactic acid aqueous solutions and molecular toxicity on the bacteria Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393 were measured with several dodecanol proportions in dodecane (0 to 90 vol %) and 10 vol % TiOA as potential solvents or membrane phases for LA removal from a fermentation broth. Effects of the organic phase on the bacteria as cell growth, biomass production, glucose consumption, productivity, and product to biomass yield are analyzed. Dodecanol increases the lactic acid chemical equilibrium constant for the liquid–liquid equilibria, while increasing the molecular toxicity on the bacteria. However, for dodecanol concentrations from 30 to 40 vol % the value of the chemical equilibrium constant is high enough for lactic acid distribution between the phases and its toxicity is low enough on the bacteria, making a proper range of dodecanol concentrations for lactic acid removal. Also, the distribution coefficient and the chemical equilibrium constant are fitted as a function of the dodecanol concentration in the organic mixture.