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Leuconostoc mesenteroides growth kinetics with application to bacterial profile modification

Journal Article · · Biotechnology and Bioengineering; (United States)
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States). Dept. of Chemical Engineering

Bacterial profile modification (BPM) is being developed as an oil recovery technique that uses bacteria to selectively plug oil depleted zones within a reservoir to divert displacing fluids into oil-rich zones. Leuconostoc mesenteroides, which produces dextran when supplied with sucrose, is a bacterium that is technically feasible for use in profile modification. However, the technique requires controlled bacterial growth to produce selective plugging. A kinetic model for the production of cells and polysaccharides has been developed for L. mesenteroides bacteria. This model, based on data from batch growth experiments, predicts saccharide utilization, cell generation, and dextran production. The underlying mechanism is the extracellular breakdown of sucrose into glucose and fructose and the subsequent production of polysaccharide. The monosaccharides are then available for growth. Accompanying sucrose consumption is the utilization of yeast extract. The cell requires a complex media that is provided by yeast extract as a source of vitamins and amino acids. Varying the concentration ratio of yeast extract to sucrose in the growth media provides a means of controlling the amount of polymer produced per cell. Consequently, in situ bacteria growth can be controlled by the manipulation of nutrient media composition, thereby providing the ability to create an overall strategy for the use of L. mesenteroides bacteria for profile modification.

DOE Contract Number:
AC22-90BC14664
OSTI ID:
7159155
Journal Information:
Biotechnology and Bioengineering; (United States), Journal Name: Biotechnology and Bioengineering; (United States) Vol. 43:9; ISSN 0006-3592; ISSN BIBIAU
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English