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A dense cell retention culture system using stirred ceramic membrane reactor
1Bioceramics Laboratory, National Industrial research Institute of Nagoya, 1 Hirate, Kitaku, Nagoya 462, Japan.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering
|November 20, 1994
Summary
A novel ceramic membrane reactor enhances Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation by retaining cells and improving aeration. This system achieved significantly higher cell mass concentration and productivity compared to traditional fed-batch cultures.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Biochemical Engineering
- Fermentation Technology
Background:
- Traditional fermentation methods face challenges in maintaining high cell densities and productivity.
- Cell retention is crucial for improving fermentation efficiency and product yield.
- Effective aeration is vital for microbial growth and metabolic activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel stirred ceramic membrane reactor for enhanced microbial fermentation.
- To investigate the impact of integrated filtration and aeration on cell retention and productivity.
- To optimize fermentation conditions for high cell mass concentration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Main Methods:
- A stirred jar fermentor was modified with integrated porous ceramic tubular membranes for filtration and gas sparging.
- A periodic control strategy alternating filtration and air sparging was implemented to maintain membrane permeability.
- An automatic feeding and filtering system was utilized for continuous culture operation.
- Oxygen transfer coefficient (k(L)a) was measured to assess aeration efficiency.
Main Results:
- The ceramic filter aeration system increased the oxygen transfer coefficient (k(L)a) approximately fivefold compared to ordinary gas sparging.
- Cell mass concentration reached 207 g/L, significantly higher than the 64 g/L achieved in fed-batch culture.
- Over 99% of growing cells were retained within the fermentor, ensuring high cell density.
- Both cell yield and productivity were substantially increased through controlled feeding and supernatant filtration.
Conclusions:
- The novel stirred ceramic membrane reactor design is effective for high-density fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- Integrated filtration and aeration significantly enhance fermentation performance, including cell retention and productivity.
- This technology offers a promising approach for improving the efficiency and scalability of microbial cell production.
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