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Strategies for reducing solvent toxicity in extractive fermentations.
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering
|April 5, 1991
Summary
Alamine 336/oleyl-alcohol solvent toxicity to Lactobacillus delbrueckii was studied. Soybean oil addition to the immobilization matrix protected cells from solvent diffusion, reducing toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Microbiology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Solvent extraction systems pose toxicity risks to microbial cells.
- Lactobacillus delbrueckii is a key microorganism in various industrial processes.
- Understanding and mitigating solvent toxicity is crucial for bioprocess optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the toxicity of an Alamine 336/oleyl-alcohol extraction system on Lactobacillus delbrueckii.
- To evaluate the protective effect of immobilization and soybean oil addition against solvent toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Investigated solvent toxicity on Lactobacillus delbrueckii.
- Utilized kappa-carrageenan matrix for cell immobilization.
- Incorporated soybean oil into the matrix to trap solvent molecules.
- Employed mathematical modeling and experimentation to quantify protective effects.
Main Results:
- The Alamine 336/oleyl-alcohol solvent exhibited toxicity through both water-soluble and immiscible phases.
- Immobilization protected cells from the immiscible phase, but not entirely from the water-soluble phase due to diffusion.
- Soybean oil addition effectively trapped diffusing solvent molecules within the kappa-carrageenan matrix.
- Reduced toxicity was observed in the presence of soybean oil, confirming its protective role.
Conclusions:
- Soybean oil incorporation into kappa-carrageenan matrices mitigates the toxicity of Alamine 336/oleyl-alcohol extraction systems on Lactobacillus delbrueckii.
- This strategy enhances microbial cell viability in solvent extraction processes.
- Mathematical modeling provides a quantitative basis for understanding and optimizing protective measures against solvent toxicity.
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