Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Whey is a nutrient-rich by-product of cheese-making containing lactose, proteins, and minerals.
It can be used as a fermentation substrate to produce valuable compounds, such as vitamin \(B_{12}\) (cobalamin), using propionic acid bacteria.
Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the correctness of each statement:
- Statement (A): Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii can ferment lactose.
Consequently, deproteinized or whole cheese whey is widely used as a cost-effective substrate for industrial vitamin \(B_{12}\) production.
Thus, Statement (A) is true.
- Statement (B): Propionibacterium species are anaerobic to aerotolerant anaerobic microaerophiles.
They grow anaerobically during the active growth phase, producing propionic acid and acetic acid.
Thus, Statement (B) is false.
- Statement (C): The accumulated propionic acid lowers the pH of the medium, which inhibits bacterial growth.
To maintain logarithmic growth and high cell density, the acid must be neutralized (typically using ammonium hydroxide) to keep the pH around 6.5--7.0.
Thus, Statement (C) is true.
- Statement (D): Vitamin \(B_{12}\) is a secondary metabolite.
Its synthesis occurs primarily during the late exponential and stationary phases of fermentation.
Thus, Statement (D) is true.
Since only (A), (C), and (D) are correct, Option (D) is the correct choice.
Step 2: Final Answer:
The correct statements are (A), (C) and (D) only.