Fluorine materials scavenge excess carbon dioxide and promote Escherichia coli growth

Fluorinated solvents have been used as oxygen carriers in closed microbial cultures to sustain aerobic conditions. However, the growth-promoting effects of fluorinated solvents remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which fluorinated solvents promote microbial growth and to explore alternative materials that can be easily isolated after culture. Escherichia coli and HFE-7200, a fluorinated solvent, were used to explore factors other than oxygen released by fluorinated solvents that promote microbial growth. E. coli growth was promoted in gas-permeable cultures, and HFE-7200 alleviated medium acidification. Gas chromatography confirmed that HFE-7200 functioned as a scavenger of carbon dioxide produced by E. coli metabolism. Because fluorinated solvents can dissolve various gases, they could scavenge metabolically produced toxic gases from microbial cultures. Furthermore, using polytetrafluoroethylene, a solid fluorine material, results in enhanced bacterial growth. Such solid materials can be easily isolated and reused for microbial culture, suggesting their potential as valuable technologies in food production and biotechnology.