Toxicity of ionic liquids and organic solvents to lactic acid-producing bacteria

In situ extractive fermentation of lactic acid using organic solvents has already been extensively investigated. Now ionic liquids are emerging as alternative solvents for volatile organic compounds traditionally used in liquid-liquid extraction. In this study, we examine whether lactic acid producing-bacteria can grow in the presence of a second phase of imidazolium-based ionic liquids or organic solvents. The lactic acid producing-bacteria used in this study are sensitive to organic solvents having 1 < log P < 4. We found that Lactobacillus delbruekii subsp. lactis NRIC 1683 could grow in the presence of a second phase of imidazolium-based ionic liquids as well as in the absence of the ionic liquids.