Process and apparatus for the production and separation of fermentation products

Process for the production of one or more chemical substances, which process comprises:

• a fermentation step of a fermentation broth, wherein said one or more chemical substances are formed;
• and
• a separation step, wherein a pair of electrodes contacts said fermentation broth and is used to locally change the pH of the fermentation broth, thereby exceeding the solubility of said one or more chemical substances and inducing precipitation of said one or more chemical substances, which pair comprises at least one precipitation electrode and at least one counter electrode, through which electrodes an electric current having a current density is directed, whereby said one or more chemical substances precipitates on, or within the diffusion layer directly adjacent to, said precipitation electrode,
• wherein said one or more chemical substances are selected from:
• organic acids selected from the group consisting of citric acid, cinnamic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and combinations thereof;
• amino acids selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, lysine, phenylalanine, and combinations thereof;
• and
• combinations thereof.