[Continuous biosynthesis of epoxypropane in a methanotrophic attached-films reactor]

Using a fluidized bed as immobilization system, mixed culture methanotrophic attached-films were developed on diatomite particles. The Methane Monooxygenase (MMO) activity was found to increase obviously as soon as the lag phase ended. Greater than 90% of the MMO activity in the bed was attached. Biofilm concentration of 3.3-3.7 mg dry weight cell/g DS was observed. Batch experiments were performed to explore the possibility of producing epoxypropane by a cooxidation process. The effect of methane on the oxidation of propene to epoxypropane and the effect of propene on the growth of methanotroph were also studied. In continuous experiments, optimum mixed gaseous substrates (methane: 35%; propene: 20%; oxygen: 45%) were continuously circulated through the fluidized bed reactor to remove product. Initial epoxypropane productivity was 110-150 mumol/d. The bioreactor operated continuously for 25 d without obvious loss of epoxypropane productivity.