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Published on: April 22, 2016
Continuous itaconic acid production by immobilized biocatalysts
H Kautola1, N Vassilev, Y Y Linko
1Laboratory of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Helsinki University of Technology, Espoo, Finland.
Journal of Biotechnology
|March 1, 1990
Summary
Continuous itaconic acid production was optimized using immobilized Aspergillus terreus mycelium in bioreactors. The study achieved stable production for over 4.5 months, yielding up to 26 g/L itaconic acid from glucose.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology and Industrial Microbiology
- Biochemical Engineering
- Metabolic Engineering
Background:
- Itaconic acid is a valuable bio-based chemical with diverse industrial applications.
- Optimizing microbial fermentation processes is crucial for cost-effective itaconic acid production.
- Immobilized microbial cells offer advantages in continuous bioprocessing and biocatalyst stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize continuous itaconic acid production using immobilized Aspergillus terreus mycelium.
- To investigate the effects of substrate concentration, aeration, and residence time on itaconic acid yield.
- To evaluate the long-term stability of the immobilized biocatalyst in column bioreactors.
Main Methods:
- Statistical experimental design and empirical modeling were employed for process optimization.
- Aspergillus terreus TKK 200-5-3 mycelium was immobilized on polyurethane foam cubes.
- Continuous column bioreactors were utilized for itaconic acid fermentation from sucrose and glucose.
Main Results:
- The highest itaconic acid concentration achieved from sucrose was 15.8 g/L under optimized conditions (13.5% sucrose, 150 mL/min aeration, 178 h residence time).
- Stable itaconic acid production was maintained for at least 4.5 months using immobilized A. terreus on sucrose.
- Fermentation using glucose as a substrate, with omission of copper sulfate, yielded a higher concentration of 26 g/L itaconic acid.
Conclusions:
- Continuous itaconic acid production using immobilized Aspergillus terreus is feasible and stable.
- Process optimization using statistical methods significantly enhances product concentration.
- Glucose as a substrate, with specific medium components, offers potential for higher itaconic acid yields.
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