Abstract
Seaweeds are promising third-generation biomass for biobased chemicals, yet their use for lactic acid (LA) production remains underexplored. We evaluated LA production from the dilute-acid hydrolysate of the aquacultured green alga Capsosiphon fulvescens (C.Agardh) Setchell & N.L. Gardner. The dried biomass contained 53.4% carbohydrate (dry-weight basis). HPLC showed a monosaccharide profile enriched in L-rhamnose and D-xylose, with lower levels of D-mannose, D-glucose, D-glucuronolactone, and D-glucuronic acid. Batch fermentations with three Lactobacillus strains revealed clear strain-dependent kinetics and carbon partitioning. Maximum LA titers/yields (time at maximum) were 2.0 g L(-1)/0.49 g g(-1) at 9 h for L. rhamnosus, 2.3 g L(-1)/0.30 g g(-1) at 36 h for L. casei, and 2.8 g L(-1)/0.23 g g(-1) at 48 h for L. brevis; L. rhamnosus achieved the highest yield on sugars consumed, whereas L. brevis reached the highest titer by utilizing a broader sugar spectrum, notably xylose; L. casei showed intermediate performance with limited xylose use. Co-products included acetic and succinic acids (major) and trace 1,2-propanediol and acetaldehyde, consistent with flux through Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas versus phosphoketolase pathways. These results demonstrate that C. fulvescens hydrolysate is a viable marine feedstock for LA production and highlight practical levers-expanding pentose/uronic-acid catabolism in high-yield strains and tuning pretreatment severity-to further improve both yield and titer.