3.3. Production of mixed acids by pure cultures of isolated
microorganisms
Mixed acids production from red algae in pure cultures of individual
isolated microorganisms was characterized. Each of the
microbial strains effectively promoted the production of mixed
acids from red algae without pretreatment. The highest concentration
(21.1 g/L) and yield (25.3 g/g) of mixed acids was obtained in
pure cultures of the MA17 strain (Table 3). However, the levels of
mixed acids production were lower compared with that of theenrichment culture, suggesting a synergistic action of microbial
strains in enhancing production during mixed culture. Across all
experiments, a determination of mixed acid ratios in pure cultures
showed that acetic acid proportions were the highest, at 4070% of
total mixed acids. Butyric acidwas the second highest acid, andwas
produced mostly from microbial digestion.