Propylene oxide production from propylene by immobilized whole cells of Methylosinus sp. CRL 31 in a gas-solid bioreactor

Summary Methanotrophic bacteria have been shown to oxidize gaseous alkenes to the corresponding epoxides utilizing an NADH₂-dependent methane monooxygenase. A cell paste of methane-grown methylotrophs was coated on porous glass beads. The production of propylene oxide from propylene was performed in a gas-solid bioreactor to ensure continuous production and removal of product epoxide from the microenvironment of the biocatalyst. The amount of propylene oxide produced before cofactor regeneration was between 120–145 moles/20 mg cells in about 10 h depending on the microbial strains used. The conversion rate for propylene was 2.7%. Regeneration of cofactor NADH₂ was performed in the bioreactor with the vapor of a cosubstrate, methanol.