Aerobic whole-cell immobilization

Dual Hollow-Fiber Bioreactor for Aerobic Whole-Cell Immobilization... 

Effect of Air, Media, Bacteria Content on Bacitracin Production. The effect of air (oxygen) on bacitracin production by immobilized whole cells was examined. The incubation of immobilized whole cells was carried out under aerobic conditions and under nitrogen. Bacitracin produced under anaerobic condition was only 30 % of that under aerobic condition. 

Immobilization is the method of cultivation of microorganisms that allows a repeated use of biocatalysts (be it enzyme or whole cells), creating prerequisites for the production of valuable products in an automated continuous mode. The most considerable problem in using biocatalysts is related to mass transfer. In aerobic systems, low solubility of oxygen in carriers, especially in some gels and polymers, can decrease the effectiveness of biocatalyst action. In this respect, propionic acid bacteria, which do not require aeration, show certain advantages over aerobic cultures. At present, about eight different processes that use immobilized enzymes and cells have found industrial applications. These are mainly one-or two-step processes used in the manufacture of foods and pharmaceutical preparations (Vorobjeva et al, 1978). An essential characteristic of a biocatalyst is productivity. 

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