Importance of solute partitioning in biphasic oxidation of benzyl alcohol by free and immobilized whole cells of Pichia pastoris

Journal Article · Mon Apr 25 00:00:00 EDT 1994 · Biotechnology and Bioengineering; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.260431004· OSTI ID:7143510

Kawakami, Koei; Nakahara, Takehiko ^[1]

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1. Kyushu Univ., Fukuoka (Japan). Dept. of Chemical Engineering

Using free and immobilized whole cells of Pichia pastoris, the biocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol was investigated in different two-phase systems. This reaction was strongly influenced by both the substrate and product inhibitions, and the production rate of benzaldehyde in the aqueous system became maximum at the initial substrate concentration of ca. 29 g/L with the aldehyde formation less than 4 to 5 g/L even after a longer reaction period. The reaction rates in the two-liquid phase systems were predominantly determined by the partitioning behaviors of the substrate and the product between the two phases rather than by enzyme deactivation by the organic solvents. In the two-liquid phase systems, consequently, the organic solvent acted as a reservoir to reduce these inhibitory effects, and it was essential to select the organic solvent providing the optimal partitioning of the substrate into the aqueous phase as well as the preferential extraction of the product into the organic phase. The whole cells immobilized in a mixed matrix composed of silicone polymer and Ca alginate gel worked well in the xylene and decane media, providing comparable activities with the free cells. The production rate of aldehyde was also influenced by the solute partitioning into the hydrophilic alginate phase where the cells existed.

• OSTI ID: 7143510
• Journal Information: Biotechnology and Bioengineering; (United States), Vol. 43:10; ISSN 0006-3592
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BENZYL ALCOHOL
METABOLISM
SOLUTES
PARTITION
YEASTS
GROWTH
PHASE STUDIES
ALCOHOLS
AROMATICS
EUMYCOTA
FUNGI
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology