Patent ID: 8203021

Claim:
A process for making MAS from a clarified fermentation broth containing an ammonium salt of succinic acid comprising: (a) optionally adding at least one of MAS, DAS, SA, NH 3 , and NH 4 + , to the broth; (b) distilling the broth to form an overhead that comprises water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that comprises MAS, at least some DAS, and at least about 20 wt % water; (c) cooling and/or evaporating the bottoms, and optionally adding an antisolvent to the bottoms, to attain a temperature and composition sufficient cause the bottoms to separate into a DAS-containing liquid portion and a MAS-containing solid portion that is substantially free of DAS; (d) separating the solid portion from the liquid portion; and (e) recovering the solid portion.