Abstract: The present invention provides a method for purifying and recovering propionic acid from an aqueous mixture containing a fermentation product obtained from a fermentation process using glycerol as substrate, the method comprising optionally acidifying the aqueous mixture to a pH below 4.5, subjecting the aqueous mixture to an extraction with extracting agent containing a heavy extractant and optionally a light extractant as a diluent to obtain an extract comprising the extracting agent and organic acids, and a raffinate comprising water and any unreacted glycerol, and subjecting the extract to vacuum evaporation to separate propionic acid-containing organic acids from the extractant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for purifying and recovering propionic acid from an aqueous mixture containing a fermentation product obtained from a fermentation process using glycerol as substrate, the method comprising optionally acidifying the aqueous mixture to a pH below 4.5, subjecting the aqueous mixture to an extraction with extracting agent containing a heavy extractant and optionally a light extractant as a diluent to obtain an extract comprising the extracting agent and organic acids, and a raffinate comprising water and any unreacted glycerol, and subjecting the extract to vacuum evaporation to separate propionic acid-containing organic acids from the extractant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell retaining matrix (CRB) for producing solvents and alcohols and an apparatus comprising said bio-column. The invention also relates to the method for producing solvents and alcohols by using said cell retaining matrix (CRB). Said cell retaining biomatrix (CRB cellulosic fibers, selected from the group consisting wood cellulosic fibers, pulp cellulosic fibers, vegetable cellulosic fibers, such as mechanical pulp, dissolving pulp, lignocellulosic fibers, and cellulosic fibers originated from vegetable peels, and at microbes, which have been immobilized into said cellulosic fibers, and which can save their biological activity in cell retaining biomatrix (CRB).