Inhibition, fermentation processes extractive bioconversions

The effect of detoxification of the medium by removal of toxic compounds with UF membranes was demonstrated by Boyaval et al. [36] in the fermentation of propionic acid. UF runs led to an eightfold increase in volumetric productivity relative to fed batch experiments. The effectiveness of membrane bioreactors in the lowering of toxicity of the compounds involved in the bioconversion system was demonstrated by Edwards and co-workers [159]. An eightfold increase in the removal of phenoHc compounds from effluents was observed when polyphenoloxidase was immobilized in a capillary poly(ether)sulfone membrane as compared to the use of the free enzyme. Butanol recovery from the fermentation medium with organic solvent extraction or membrane solvent extraction led to similar results, both processes leading to decreased product inhibition. Due to the low toxicity of the extractive solvent used (isopropyl myristate) on Clostridium beyerinckii cells, no protective effect of the membrane was observed. However, precipitates observed in two-Hquid phase extraction were not observed... 

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