Enhancing gas-liquid mass transfer rates in non-newtonian fermentations by confining mycelial growth to microbeads in a bubble column

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1983 · Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.260251206· OSTI ID:6992360

Gbewonyo, K; Wang, D I.C.

The performance of a penicillin fermentation was assessed in a laboratory-scale bubble column fermentor, with mycelial growth confined to the pore matrix of celite beads. Final cell densities of 29 g/L and penicillin titres of 5.5 g/L were obtained in the confined cell cultures. In comparison, cultures of free mycelial cells grown in the absence of beads experienced dissolved oxygen limitations in the bubble column, giving only 17 g/L final cell concentrations with equally low penicillin titres of 2 g/L. The better performance of the confined cell cultures was attributed to enhanced gas liquid mass transfer rates, with mass transfer coefficients (k /SUB L/ a) two to three times higher than those determined in the free cell cultures. Furthermore, the confined cell cultures showed more efficient utilization of power input for mass transfer, providing up to 50% reduction in energy requirements for aeration.

• Research Organization: Dept. of Chem Eng., Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge, MA
• OSTI ID: 6992360
• Journal Information: Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States), Vol. 25:12
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
GASES
MASS TRANSFER
LIQUIDS
MYCELIUM
PLANT GROWTH
PENICILLIN
GROWTH
PRODUCTION
BIOREACTORS
CELL CULTURES
DENSITY
FERMENTATION
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
PLANT CELLS
ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS
ANTIBIOTICS
BIOCONVERSION
BODY
DRUGS
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANT TISSUES
TISSUES
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