Immobilized soy-sauce yeasts: development and characterization of a new polyethylene-oxide support

Entrapment of cells in alginate gel is a widely used mild immobilization procedure. However, alginate gel is not very suitable for use in long-term continuous soy-sauce processes because alginate is sensitive to abrasion and chemically unstable towards the high salt content of soy-sauce medium. Therefore, a chemically crosslinked polyethylene-oxide gel was used instead. The disadvantage of this gel was that due to the crosslinking reaction, the viability of the cells after immobilization was poor. For this reason, a new mild procedure for immobilizing soy-sauce yeasts in polyethylene-oxide gel was developed, resulting in high survival percentages of the soy-sauce yeasts Zygosaccharomyces rouxii and Candida versatilis. This newly developed polyethylene-oxide gel, unlike alginate gel, appeared not to be sensitive to abrasion, even in the presence of high salt concentrations. Therefore, we concluded that this newly developed polyethylene-oxide gel is more suitable than alginate gel for use as immobilization material in long-term processes with a high salt content, like soy-sauce processes.     

Conditions for immobilizing Streptomyces erythreus in a calcium alginate gel and the apparatus setup for the process

A laboratory unit for production of calcium alginate gel granules with immobilized microorganisms is described. It provides sterile production of particles from tens micrometers to 2 mm in diameter. Expediency of using biocatalysts in the form of fine granules is exemplified with a number of immobilized microorganisms. Conditions for immobilizing the erythromycin producing organism by its incorporation into the calcium alginate gel were studied. Viability of the actinomycete in the gel was shown by consumption of the nutrients and biosynthesis of the antibiotic.     

Contributions of immobilized and free cells of salt-tolerantZygosaccharomyces rouxii andCandida versatilis to the production of ethanol and 4-ethylguaiacol

Summary The contribution of immobilized cells and free cells released from gel beads to ethanol production by the salt-tolerant yeastsZygosaccharomyces rouxii andCandida versatilis, and 4-ethylguaiacol (4-EG) production byC. versatilis were investigated using an airlift reactor. The amounts of ethanol produced by free cells were about 65% and about 90% of total ethanol in the reactor forZ. rouxii andC. versatilis, respectively. It was found that immobilized cells gave a much lower specific productivity of ethanol (ethanol production per hour per cell) than free cells of both yeasts, especially ofC. versatilis. 4-EG was produced mainly by immobilized cells ofC. versatilis; the amount of 4-EG produced by free cells was about 20% of the total 4-EG, in contrast to the results of ethanol production. However, the specific productivity of 4-EG (4-EG production per hour per cell) by immobilized and free cells was fairly similar.     

Immobilized Coffea arabica cell culture using a bubble-column reactor with controlled light intensity

Coffea arabica cells immobilized by calcium alginate gel were photocultured using a bubble-column reactor under controlled light intensity. This process was carried out after their alkaloid productivity was improved by increasing the cell density in the initial gel matrix and preculturing the immobilized cells in the dark prior to light irradiation. The cells were grown in the form of a biofilm on gel beads, producing 100 mg/L of purine alkaloids in a 24-day batch culture. Alkaloid production was relatively constant with respect to light intensity changes, and also cell growth was not suppressed much at high light intensity, with these behaviors being different from those obtained using suspended cells. These phenomena are explained by estimating the light intensity gradient within the cell-immobilizing particles and by measuring the viable cell distribution within them. It subsequently suggests that the subsurface cells affect both the production and growth behaviors. (c) 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

New immobilization method of mammalian cells using alginate and polyacrylate

Mouse-mouse hybridoma cells were immobilized in polyacrylate-alginate gels. The immobilized hybridoma cells were cultured semi-continuously using a fluidized bed reactor, and allowed continuous antibody production without any gel destruction for one month. It has been proved that the polyacrylate-alginate gels were tolerant against physical stress. The composition of the gels suitable for cell growth and antibody production was given as follows; viscosity of alginate at 1% solution: 60–100 cP, alginate concentration: 0.8%, and polyacrylate concentration: 0.2%. In the semi-continuous culture using gels prepared under suitable conditions, the viable cell number was estimated as 2.5×10⁷ cells/ml-gel, and the antibody production rate was 2.2 mg/ml-gel/d, at maximum.     

Alumina-doped alginate gel as a cell carrier for ethanol production in a packed-bed bioreactor

Alumina-doped alginate gel (AEC) was developed as a new type of cell carrier to be used in ethanol fermentation. The presence of the alumina particles in alginate gel not only improved the porous structure of the carrier, but also provided many advantageous characteristics including good mechanical strength, high stability, and high immobilization yield. The attachment of alumina particles and yeast cells by electrostatic attraction was shown to promote cell growth and increase ethanol productivity. The AEC carrier was found to be more effective for the immobilization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae M30 than the conventional Ca-alginate bead. Ethanol productivities of 1.4 and 7.9 ∼ 12.6 g/(L/h) were obtained using the AEC cultures in batch and continuous modes of operation, respectively, with an ethanol yield of 43.9 ∼ 46.7% and an immobilized yield of 81.4 ∼ 84.5%. Ethanol fermentation in a continuous packed-bed reactor using the AEC carrier was stable for > 30 days.     

Continuous production of erythropoietin with immobilized animal cells

Summary Erythropoietin, a glycoprotein that is a physiological stimulator of erythrocyte production, was produced continuously for more than 32 days by three kinds of anchorage-dependent animal cells immobilized in alginate gel particles. Gelation caused by divalent cations added to an alginate solution containing cells resulted in the formation of clearly vacant spaces (referred to here as channels) with prolate ellipsoidal shapes inside the gel particles. Each channel originated from a cell and extended towards the center of the gel particle. The animal cells grew well three-dimensionally in the channels but proliferated little outside the channels. Most of the channels had been filled with cells 2 weeks after immobilization. The cell concentration in the gel particles reached more than 1×10⁷ cells/g gel. The alginate immobilization method was useful for high-concentration cultivation of the anchorage-dependent cells.     

Continuous production of l-serine by immobilized growing Corynebacterium glycinophilum cells

Summary Auxotrophic mutant cells of Corynebacterium glycinophilum with high l-serine production activity were immobilized by entrapment with various gel materials, such as synthetic prepolymers and natural polysaccharides. The entrapped cells were used for estimation of l-serine productivity in a medium supplemented with glycine as a precursor. Based on the above criteria, including cell growth in gels and cell leakage from gels, calcium alginate was the most suitable gel material. Continuous l-serine fermentation with calcium alginate-entrapped growing cells was successfully achieved in an air-bubbled reactor for at least 13 days.     

Immobilization of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450

Rabbit liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 was immobilized by entrapment in calcium alginate gel. Aminopyrine demethylation experiments showed that the immobilized enzyme system is highly active and exhibits an unimpaired functional stability as compared with crude microsomes. The alginate entrapped microsomes were employed in a fixed bed recirculation reactor, where aminopyrine was continuously demethylated. Such model enzyme reactor can be a useful tool for studying extracorporeal drug detoxification or preparative substrate conversion with microsomal enzyme systems.     

A new principle for immobilized yeast reactors based on internal gelation of alginate

Summary Internal gelation of alginate byin situ liberation of Ca²⁺ ions permitted production of a one-piece continuous immobilized yeast cell reactor unit having vertical internal flow channels. The reactor showed good characteristics with respect to gel stability, gas-release and fermentation stability over the 3.5 month test period.     

Examination of immobilized cells in a rotating packed drum reactor for the production of ethanol from d-glucose

A rotating packed drum reactor has been proposed as an immobilized whole cell reactor and its performance for ethanol production has been studied with yeast cells immobilized in calcium alginate gel. In a continuous operation with synthetic d-glucose medium containing 125 g d-glucose l^?1, ethanol productivity was 20 g l^?1 h^?1 at a space velocity of 0.38 l (l gel)^?1 h^?1. With intermittent aeration the viability of yeast cells after 270 h of operation remained above 65%. CO₂ removal was easy, but d-glucose conversion was low at a high space velocity.     

Continuous production of monoclonal antibody with immobilized hybridoma cells in an expanded bed fermentor

Summary Continuous production of monoclonal antibody was achieved in serum-free medium by hybridoma cells immobilized by calcium alginate. The cells were cultivated in an expanded bed fermentor under mild flow conditions which reduced destruction of the immobilized gel particles. Monoclonal antibody was produced continuously for more than 40 days.     

Continuous production of isomalto-oligosaccharides from maltose syrup by immobilized cells of permeabilizedAureobasidium pullulans

Continuous production of isomalto-oligosaccharides from maltose syrup by the permeabilized cells ofAureobasidium pullulans immobilized into calcium alginate gel was studied using a column reactor. The immobilized cell column maintained its full activity over 45 days when the reactor was operated at a velocity of 0.1 h^–1 at 50°C using 60%(w/v) maltose syrup as a substrate, and the maximum productivity achieved was around 60 g/1h.     

Immobilization of denitrifier within a matrix with low oxygen permeability

Barium alginate gel was a suitable matrix, with low oxygen permeability, for the immobilization of denitrifier. The mechanical compression strength of the Ba alginate gel was higher than that of the Ca alginate gel. At O₂ concentrations up to 2 mg/L, the denitrification rate constant of the Ba alginate immobilized denitrifier was about 90% of that of the free denitrifier under anoxic condition.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A new immobilization technique of whole cells and enzymes with colloidal silica and alginate

A mixed gel composed of colloidal silica and alginate (As gel) was prepared for the immobilization of enzymes or microorganisms. The physical strength of AS gel increased with the amount of colloidal silica. The ethanol production rate of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (IFO 0224) immobilized in AS gel was higher than in alginate gel (Al gel) in the early phase of growth. At a concentration of glucose of more than 10%, the ethanol production of immobilized yeast in AS gel was higher than in Al gel. Any difference was not recognized in the diffusion coefficient of glucose between AS and Al gels. The AS gel had an ability to retain proteins such as bovine serum albumin and gamma-globulin. The alkaline protease and beta-galactosidase in AS gel continued their function for a long time, but those immobilized in Al gel did not. Immobilized beta-galactosidase in AS gel had a higher thermal stability than in Al gel or free enzymes.     

Reaction and diffusion in a gel membrane reactor containing immobilized cells

To investigate the effect of diffusional limitations and heterogeneous cell distribution in a gel-immobilized cell system, a gel membrane reactor has been constructed. The reactor consists essentially of a gel layer with immobilized cells, flanked by two well-mixed chambers. Through one chamber substrate is pumped, and this chamber is the equivalent of the outside of a spherical gel bead. The second closed measuring chamber contains a small quantity of liquid that can equilibrate with the inside surface of the membrane, eventually after a long transient. Analysis of the liquid in this chamber can give direct information on substrate and product concentrations at the gel surface, and is and indication of the situation in the center of a gel bead. The gel membrane reactor appears to be an excellent tool to study diffusion and reaction in a gel-containing immobilized cells. A mathematical model with time- and position-dependent cell concentration and diffusion coefficient is described. Experimental data show the effective diffusion coefficient of glucose in an alginate gel to decrease with yeast cell concentration. Moreover, kinetic parameters could be determined, using the mathematical model. Microscopic analysis confirmed the proliferation of the gel-entrapped microorganisms in the outer layer of the matrix, as predicted by the model. Potentially, this type of reactor has a clear potential to study the physiology of gel-immobilized cells. (c) 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Survival of Bifidobacterium longum immobilized in calcium alginate beads in simulated gastric juices and bile salt solution

Bifidobacterium longum KCTC 3128 and HLC 3742 were independently immobilized (entrapped) in calcium alginate beads containing 2, 3, and 4% sodium alginate. When the bifidobacteria entrapped in calcium alginate beads were exposed to simulated gastric juices and a bile salt solution, the death rate of the cells in the beads decreased proportionally with an increase in both the alginate gel concentration and bead size. The initial cell numbers in the beads affected the numbers of survivors after exposure to these solutions; however, the death rates of the viable cells were not affected. Accordingly, a mathematical model was formulated which expressed the influences of several parameters (gel concentration, bead size, and initial cell numbers) on the survival of entrapped bifidobacteria after sequential exposure to simulated gastric juices followed by a bile salt solution. The model proposed in this paper may be useful for estimating the survival of bifidobacteria in beads and establishing optimal entrapment conditions.     

Survival of Bifidobacterium longum Immobilized in Calcium Alginate Beads in Simulated Gastric Juices and Bile Salt Solution

Bifidobacterium longum KCTC 3128 and HLC 3742 were independently immobilized (entrapped) in calcium alginate beads containing 2, 3, and 4% sodium alginate. When the bifidobacteria entrapped in calcium alginate beads were exposed to simulated gastric juices and a bile salt solution, the death rate of the cells in the beads decreased proportionally with an increase in both the alginate gel concentration and bead size. The initial cell numbers in the beads affected the numbers of survivors after exposure to these solutions; however, the death rates of the viable cells were not affected. Accordingly, a mathematical model was formulated which expressed the influences of several parameters (gel concentration, bead size, and initial cell numbers) on the survival of entrapped bifidobacteria after sequential exposure to simulated gastric juices followed by a bile salt solution. The model proposed in this paper may be useful for estimating the survival of bifidobacteria in beads and establishing optimal entrapment conditions.     

Sustained ammonia production by immobilized filaments of the nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena 27893

Summary Whole filaments of the N₂-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena ATCC 27893 have been immobilized by entrapment in calcium alginate gel beads. In a continuous flow fluidized bed reactor sustained photosynthesis, N₂-fixation, and ammonia production have been achieved over a 130 hour period, the longest tested.     

Mass transfer analysis for immobilized cells of Lactococcus lactis sp. using both simulations and in-situ pH measurements

Mathematical modeling and in-situ pH measurements were used to characterize the effects of the microenvironment on alginate gel beads immobilized cells of Lactococcus lactis. Mass transfer limitations led to a progressive pH acidification within gel beads which determined both the cell distribution and the cellular activity of entrapped cells. The dynamics of the system is discussed in relation to the overall activity of the immobilized cell reactor.