The disruption ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae cells and release of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) in a horizontal dyno bead mill operated in continuous recycling mode

Baker’s yeast was disrupted in a 1.4-L stainless steel horizontal bead mill under a continuous recycle mode using 0.3 mm diameter zirconia beads as abrasive. A single pass in continuous mode bead mill operation liberates half of the maximally released protein. The maximum total protein release can only be achieved after passaging the cells 5 times through the disruption chamber. The degree of cell disruption was increased with the increase in feeding rate, but the total protein release was highest at the middle range of feeding rate (45 L/h). The total protein release was increased with an increase in biomass concentration from 10 to 50% (w/v). However, higher heat dissipation as a result of high viscosity of concentrated biomass led to the denaturation of labile protein such as glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). As a result the highest specific activity of G6PDH was achieved at biomass concentration of 20% (ww/v). Generally, the degree of cell disruption and total protein released were increased with an increase in impeller tip speed, but the specific activity of G6PDH was decreased substantially at higher impeller tip speed (14 m/s). Both the degree of cell disruption and total protein release increased, as the bead loading increased from 75 to 85% (v/v). Hence, in order to obtain a higher yield of labile protein such as G6PDH, the yeast cell should not be disrupted at biomass concentration and impeller tip speed higher than 20% (w/v) and 10 m/s, respectively.     

The influence of bakers’ yeast cells on protein adsorption in anion exchange expanded bed chromatography

Baker’s yeast was disrupted in a 1.4-L stainless steel horizontal bead mill under a continuous recycle mode using 0.3 mm diameter zirconia beads as abrasive. A single pass in continuous mode bead mill operation liberates half of the maximally released protein. The maximum total protein release can only be achieved after passaging the cells 5 times through the disruption chamber. The degree of cell disruption was increased with the increase in feeding rate, but the total protein release was highest at the middle range of feeding rate (45 L/h). The total protein release was increased with an increase in biomass concentration from 10 to 50% (w/v). However, higher heat dissipation as a result of high viscosity of concentrated biomass led to the denaturation of labile protein such as glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). As a result the highest specific activity of G6PDH was achieved at biomass concentration of 20% (ww/v). Generally, the degree of cell disruption and total protein released were increased with an increase in impeller tip speed, but the specific activity of G6PDH was decreased substantially at higher impeller tip speed (14 m/s). Both the degree of cell disruption and total protein release increased, as the bead loading increased from 75 to 85% (v/v). Hence, in order to obtain a higher yield of labile protein such as G6PDH, the yeast cell should not be disrupted at biomass concentration and impeller tip speed higher than 20% (w/v) and 10 m/s, respectively.     

Experiences with a 20 litre industrial bead mill for the disruption of microorganisms

Suspensions of several yeast strains and bacterial species were disrupted in a continuously operating industrial agitator mill of 22.7 litre internal working volume. The influence of agitator speed, flow rate, concentration of microorganisms in the slurry, packing density of glass beads and bead diameter on the disruption process was studied using baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Cell disintegration was followed by assaying the appearance of protein and the activities of d-glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [d-glucose-6-phosphate:NADP⁺ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.49] and α-d-glucosidase [α-d-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.20] in the soluble fraction. The best operating conditions for the disintegration of baker's yeast with respect to activity yield appeared to be at a rotational speed of 1100 rev/min, a flow rate of 100 litre h^?1 and a cell concentration of 40% (w/v). The location of the desired enzyme in the cell is of importance for the choice of bead diameter and packing density of the glass beads. Temperature increase and power consumption during disintegration are also strongly influenced by the bead loading in the mill. With optimized parameters, 200 kg baker's yeast can be processed per hour with a degree of disintegration >85%. The disruption process in the mill was found to be very effective for several yeast species tested, e.g. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces carlsbergensis, and Candida boidinii. The usefulness of the Netzsch LME 20-mill for the disruption of bacteria species was demonstrated with Escherichia coli, Brevibacterium ammoniagenes, Bacillus sphaericus and Lactobacillus confusus. As expected, the mill capacity for bacterial disruption was significantly smaller than for the yeast. Between 10 and 20 kg per h bacteria may be processed, depending on the organism.     

Characterization of E. coli cell disintegrates from a bead mill and high pressure homogenizers

The protein releases, the particle size distribution and the viscosity of disrupted E. coli suspensions from Dyno Mill KDL, Manton Gaulin 15 M-8TA and Microfluidizer M-110 were determined. The effects of these parameters on separation of the cell debris from the protein solution by centrifugation and by filtration were also examined. All three disintegration methods investigated give approximately the same protein and enzyme releases but considerably different physical properties of the cell disintegrates which influences centrifugation and filtration. The separation degree of biomass during centrifugation is only slightly affected by increasing degree of disruption (increasing protein releases) in the bead mill, while an increase in the degree of disruption in the two high pressure homogenizers drastically reduces the centrifugal degree of separation. However, increasing degrees of disruption result in shorter filtration times during filtration for all three disintegration methods. The results show further that the cell concentration only has a minor influence on protein releases in the Microfluidizer high-pressure homogenizer, while an increase in the biomass content reduces the separability of the cell disintegrate both in filtration and in centrifugation.     

Disruption of baker's yeast by a new bead mill

Summary A continuous high-speed bead mill of novel design (Sulzer Annu Mill 01) was tested for cell disruption of baker's yeast as a model system. The efficiency of cell disruption was evaluated for the relative amount of released protein. The effects of rotation speed, cell concentration and flow rate of cell suspension on the cell disruption were investigated. The maximum yield of released protein was found to be 2.62 kg protein/L.h. This novel design appears to be more effective than existing commercially available mills.Notations Cs cell concentration (g packed yeast/L) - F flow rate of suspension, mL/min - F_R cumulative residence time distribution - N rotation speed of the rotor (rpm) - P number of passes of suspension through mill - R amount of protein released from cell, mg/g packed yeast - R_m maximum amount of protein released, mg/g packed yeast - t time, s - mean residence time, s     

A simple method for bakers' yeast cell disruption using a three-phase fluidized bed equipped with an agitator

A three-phase fluidized bed equipped with a turbine agitator was utilized as a simple device for disrupting bakers' yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The degree of yeast cell disruption was evaluated based on the number of broken cells and its validity was confirmed by the total amount of crude soluble proteins released and by microscopic observation. It was found that the equipment could yield 90% of yeast cell disruption. With the presence of glass beads, the degree of cell disruption became higher as agitating speed is increased. The disruption enhancement would be attributed to the grinding effect resulting from the interaction between yeast cells and glass beads. One-thousand micrometers of glass beads yielded a higher degree of disruption than larger ones. An increase in liquid flow rate hindered the degree of disruption because of shorter contact time although the shear rates in the yeast suspension would become more rigorous.     

Immobilization of "Disguised" yeast in chemically crosslinked chitosan beads

A new simple method for the preparation of chemically crosslinked chitosan beads is presented. It consists of the dropwise addition of 2-3% (w/v) low molecular weight chitosan solution containing 2% (w/v) glyoxal in 1% (w/v) tetrasodiumdiphosphate, pH 8.0. Immobilized viable baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) could be obtained via gel entrapment within the new beads when means preventing their direct contact with soluble chitosan were provided, "disguising" the cells until gelation and crosslinking were completed. Such means included cell suspension in castor oil or mixing with carboxymethyl-cellulose powder. Application of these means was shown to be necessary, as cells exposed to soluble chitosan immediately lost their viability and glycolytic activity. Yeast disguised in castor oil was also protected from bead reinforcement by glutaraldehyde treatment, significantly strengthening bead stability while operating under acidic conditions. This capability was demonstrated by continuous ethanol production by chitosan entrapped yeast. (c) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Disruption of a filamentous fungal organism (N. sitophila) using a bead mill of novel design I. General disruption characteristics

The disruption of a typical filamentous fungus, a native strain of Neurospora sitophila, was studied using a glass bead mill of novel design (the Sulzer Annu Mill 01). Cell concentration (in the range of 2.5–5 g dry weight/L) had little influence on the disruption attained. Disruption increased with increasing rotor speed (1000 –4000 r.p.m.) and number of passes (up to six passes) through the Annu Mill. Disruption was observed to follow traditional first-order kinetics for bead mills possessing predominantly plug flow characteristics. It was concluded that in general the Annu Mill would be applicable for the disruption of filamentous organisms.Nomenclature C_P aqueous-phase soluble protein concentration of disrupted sample (g/mL) - CP,MAX aqueous-phase soluble protein concentration of a completely disrupted sample (g/mL) - C_PO aqueous-phase soluble protein concentration of undisrupted sample (g/mL) - N number of passes though the bead mill (–) - R total fraction of cells disrupted (–) Greek Letters _C internal moisture volume fraction of undisrupted cells (–) - _L aqueous phase volume fraction of disrupted cell suspension (–) - _LO aqueous phase volume fraction of undisrupted cell suspension (–) - _L,MAX aqueous phase volume fraction at complete disruption (R=1) (–) - fluid density (kg/m³) - _C density of the microorganism (kg/m³) - _L density of the suspending aqueous phase (kg/m³) - suspension batch residence time in the Annu Mill 01 (min.) Abbreviations DW dry weight     

Improved cell disruption of Pichia pastoris utilizing aminopropyl magnesium phyllosilicate (AMP) clay

An efficient method for Pichia cell disruption that employs an aminopropyl magnesium phyllosilicate (AMP) clay-assisted glass beads mill is presented. AMP clay is functionalized nanocomposite resembling the talc parent structure Si₈Mg₆O₂₀(OH)₄ that has been proven to permeate the bacterial membrane and cause cell lysis. The recombinant capsid protein of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) expressed in Pichia pastoris GS115 was used as demonstration system for their ability of self-assembly into icosahedral virus-like particles (VLPs). The total protein concentration reached 4.24 mg/ml after 4 min treatment by glass beads mill combined with 0.2 % AMP clay, which was 11.2 % higher compared to glass beads mill only and the time was half shortened. The stability of purified CCMV VLPs illustrated AMP clay had no influence on virus assembly process. Considering the tiny amount added and simple approach of AMP clay, it could be a reliable method for yeast cell disruption.     

Gentle lysis of mucous producing cold-adapted bacteria by surfactant treatment combined with mechanical disruption

A procedure for the enhanced lysis of mucous producing psychrotrophic gram positive bacteria for subsequent enzyme studies is described. An initial washing of bacterial cells with Tween 80 was found to improve the degree of cell disruption in subsequent sonication or grinding with glass beads, resulting in about 20-200% increase in total soluble protein content. However, in terms of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity present in the lysate, pretreatment with Tween 80 was more effective in combination with grinding, especially in the highly mucous producing strain GY11. The type of surfactant used in the pretreatment procedure before grinding strongly influenced the percentage lysis of tested strains, both in terms of released soluble protein and enzyme activity. Zymograms of LDH and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity present in the lysates also very well supported the results obtained by total protein and enzyme activity measurements.     

Decolorization of phenolic effluents by soluble and immobilized phenol oxidases

Summary Colour removal from phenplic industrial effluents by phenol oxidase enzymes and white-rot fungi was compared. Soluble laccase and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) removed colour from pulp mill (E), cotton mill hydroxide (OH) and cotton mill sulphide (S) effluents, but rapid and irreversible enzyme inactivation took place. Entrapment of laccase in alginate beads improved decolorization by factors of 3.5 (OH) and 2 (E); entrapment of HRP improved decolorization by 36 (OH), 20 (E) and 9 (S). Beads were unsuitable for continuous use because the enzymes were rapidly released into solution. Co-polymerization of laccase or HRP with L-tyrosine gave insoluble polymers with enzyme activity. Entrapment of the co-polymers in gel beads further increased the efficiency of decolorization of E by 28 (laccase) and by 132 (HRP) compared with soluble enzymes. Maximum decolorization of all three effluents by batch cultures of Coriolus versicolor (70%–80% in 8 days) was greater than the maximum enzymic decolorization (48% of OH in 3 days by entrapped laccase). Soluble laccase (222 units ml^–1) precipitated 1.2 g l^–1 phenol from artificial coal conversion effluent at pH 6.0 and the rate of precipitation and enzyme inactivation was faster at pH 6.0 than at pH 8.5.Offprint requests to: R. G. Burns     

Release of protein from Bakers' yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) by disruption in an industrial agitator mill

Release of protein from a suspension of bakers' yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) by disruption in an industrial agitator mill has been studied. Protein release on disruption in the mill is a first-order rate process. The rate constant is dependent on at least six parameters. Increased disruption efficiency was obtained at higher agitator speeds, greater loading of bead attritive elements and lower rates of upward recycle of yeast suspension through the mill. An increase in temperature from 5 to 42°C was accompanied by a reduction in disruption efficiency of approximately 20%. With optimal values of the parameters examined the throughput of the mill is 5.32 kg/hr of soluble protein for 90% disruption.     

Solubilization of fish proteins using immobilized microbial cells

Cells of Bacillus megaterium, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Pseudomonas marinoglutinosa were immobilized in calcium alginate. The immobilized cells secreted protease when held in fish meat suspension in water. The enzyme synthesis by the entrapped cells was supported by small amounts of soluble nutrients present in the meat. The secreted protease solubilized the fish meat, solubilization being optimum at pH range of 7.5 to 9.5 and at 50 degrees C. Under these conditions immobilized B. megaterium was most efficient giving 30% solubilization of the meat, followed by A. hydrophila (18%), while immobilized P. marinoglutinosa was less effective. The optimum ratio of fish meat to beads was about 4:3 for B. megaterium and A. hydrophila. The beads had a storage life of 30 days at 4 degrees C. The results suggested potential for use of immobilized microbial cells having extracellular protease activity to enhance solubility of waste proteins. A prototype reactor with beads holding assembly was fabricated which could recover the beads from the meat slurry after the treatment.     

Solubilization and partial purification of an enzyme involved in rat liver microsomal fatty acid chain elongation: beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrase.

The solubilization and partial purification of beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrase from rat liver microsomes has been accomplished through deoxycholate solubilization, ammonium sulfate fractionation, and ion exchange chromatography. A purification of about 90-fold based on total soluble activity was achieved, with an overall yield of 40%. However, the initial solubilization is accompanied by the loss of the secondary portion of the v/s curve observed with intact microsomes. The enzyme requires detergent during the purification procedure to remain "soluble," and is strongly activated by the inclusion of Triton-X-100 at concentrations above its critical micelle concentration in the assay mixture. In addition a preference for micelles has been inferred based on discontinuities in the v/s curves relative to the measured critical micelle concentration of the substrates in the absence of Triton X-100. Kinetic parameters calculated on the basis of micelle-specific activity indicated that beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA substrates possessing even-numbered alkyl chains from 14 to 20 carbon atoms differed little in Vm', but had progressively larger Km' as the chain length increased. The partially purified preparation was also active with beta-hydroxy-8,11-eicosadienoyl-CoA; and with 2-trans-enoyl-CoA substrates in a reverse (hydration) reaction.     

Solubilization of the [8-lysine]vasopressin receptor and adenylate cyclase from pig kidney plasma membranes.

Adenylate cyclase and the [8-lysine]vasopressin receptor were solubilized from pig kidney medulla membranes using the nonionic detergent Triton X-100. Optimal conditions for solubilization were under continuous stirring in a medium containing 0.5% (/v) Triton X-100, 100 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8, and 10 mM MgCl2. Both adenylate cyclase activity and [3H][8-lysine]vasopressin binding activity were recovered in a -26,000 X g supernatant of detergent-treated membranes. The yield of solubilized adenylate cyclase was nearly 100%. The soluble enzyme was no longer sensitive to antidiuretic hormone but was slightly activated by sodium fluoride. The affinity of the soluble receptor for [8-lysine]vasopresin was les than that of the membrane-bound receptor (mean apparent Km values, respectively 10(-7) M and 2 X 10(-8) M), however binding cooperativity was preserved. Hill coefficients were 1.42 for the soluble receptor and 1.50 for the membrane receptor. The soluble receptor discriminated as efficiently as did the membrane receptor between [8-lysine-a1vasopressin and oxytocin. The yield of spolubilized receptor was only 30% despite the fact that all binding activity had disappeared from the residual pellet of detergent-treated membranes. When the membranous receptors were occupied before solubilization and the latter was performed under conditions in which dissociation of the hormone-receptor comples is slow, i.e. at low temperature, 65% to 100% of the hormone-receptor complex was recovered in the soluble fraction. The soluble hormone-receptor complex partially dissociated on rewarming whereas the free hormone concentration was kept unchanged in the medium. The residual binding capacity, which was 30% of the initial value, was identical with that determined when the receptor was solubilized in free form before incubation with labeled hormone. It was concluded that (a) solubilization of the receptor molecules was complete, (b) during solubilization two forms of the receptor appear, of which only one is accessible to the hormone, (c) occupancy of the receptor by the hormone prevented the formation of the nonaccessible form, and (d) some component or components of the soluble fraction might be responsible for the loss in apparent affinity.     

Plucking of lectin receptors from erythrocytes: Isolation of cell surface components without the use of detergents

A new approach is described for the isolation of lectin receptors without the use of detergents, by plucking them from the cell surface. Cells bound to lectin-coated Sepharose beads are sheared off the beads by mechanical disruption, whereupon the receptors remain attached to the beads and are released specifically by inhibitory sugars. Material plucked from neuraminidase-treated human erythrocytes by beads coated with peanut agglutinin and released by D-galactose was identified as asialoglycophorin. The same membrane glycoprotein was plucked from neuraminidase-treated erythrocytes by beads coated with soybean agglutinin, but at considerably lower yield.     

Reactor properties of a high-speed bead mill for microbial cell rupture

Laboratory and pilot-plant high-speed bead mills of 0.6 and 5 liter capacity and consisting of four and five impellers in series, respectively, were used to follow the batch and continuous disruption of bakers' yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The mills are not scaled equivalents. Throughputs ranging from 1 × 10^?6m³/sec to 12 × 10^?6m³/sec for the 0.6 liter mill and from 16 × 10^?6m³/sec to 100 × 10^?6m³/sec for the 5 liter mill were used for continuous disruption studies. Variables studied included the effect of impeller tip speed, temperature, and packed yeast concentration (ranging from 15 to75% by weight packed yeast). Disruption kinetics, as measured by the release of soluble protein, followed a first-order rate equation, the rate constant being a function of impeller tip speed and yeast concentration. For continuous disruption studies the bead mills behaved as a series of continuous stirred-tank reactors, each impeller forming a reactor. In the smaller mill a considerable degree of backflow between the reactors was evident. For certain mixing conditions the maximum amount of releasable protein was dependent on the impeller geometry, construction material, and also the concentration of packed yeast. The relative power efficiencies of the two mills are discussed along with possible criteria for scaling of bead mills.     

Optimizations of particle size and pulp density for solubilization of rock phosphate by a microbial consortium from activated sludge

Microbial solubilization of rock phosphate is getting more and more attention recently. However, the microorganisms used in previous studies were mostly single or known species, and seldom studies focused on the mixed microorganisms or microbial consortia from natural environments. In this study, a microbial consortium taken from activated sludge was used to solubilize two different mid-low-grade rock phosphates. The results showed that the microbial consortium could effectively solubilize the rock phosphates in National Botanical Research Institute’s phosphate growth medium and released soluble phosphorus in the broth. The biomass increased gradually, whereas the pH decreased sharply during the solubilizing process. The maximum phosphorus solubilization was recorded at particle size of 150?µm. Higher or lower than this optimal particle size, the phosphorus solubilization decreased. The phosphorus solubilization gradually decreased with a larger pulp density from 1 to 5%, and the optimal pulp density was 1%. The solubilization level of microbial consortium varied with different rock phosphates. The results revealed that the soluble phosphorus released from high-silicon ore was higher than which from high-magnesium ore. A strong positive correlation between biomass and phosphorus solubilization in the broth was observed from regression analysis results, and the phosphorus solubilization also had a significant negative correlation with pH in the broth.     

Solubilization of insoluble inorganic phosphates by a novel salt- and pH-tolerant Pantoea agglomerans R-42 isolated from soybean rhizosphere

To develop environment-friendly biofertilizer solubilizing insoluble phosphates, salt- and pH-tolerant, insoluble inorganic phosphate-solubilizing bacterium was isolated from soybean rhizosphere. On the basis of its physiological characteristics and Vitek analysis, this bacterium was identified as Pantoea agglomerans. The optimal medium composition and cultural conditions for the solubilization of insoluble phosphate by P. agglomerans R-42 were 3% (w/v) of glucose, 0.1% (w/v) of NH4NO3, 0.02% (w/v) of MgSO4 x 7H2O, and 0.06% (w/v) of CaCl2 x 2H2O along with initial pH 7.5 at 30 degree C. The soluble phosphate production under optimal condition was around 900 mg/l, which was approximately 4.6-fold higher than the yield in the MPVK medium. The solubilization of insoluble phosphate was associated with a drop in the pH of the culture medium. P. agglomerans R-42 showed resistance against different environmental stresses like 5-45 degrees C temperature, 1-5% salt concentration and 3-11 pH range. Insoluble phosphate solubilization was highest from CaHPO4 (1367 mg/l), hydroxyapatite (1357 mg/l) and Ca3(PO4)2 (1312 mg/l). However, the strain produced soluble phosphate to the culture broth with the concentrations of 28 mg/l against FePO4, and 19 mg/l against AlPO4, respectively.     

Study of physical and biological factors involved in the disruption of E. coli by hydrodynamic cavitation

Hydrodynamic cavitation results in flow restriction in a flow system causing rapid pressure fluctuations and significant fluid forces. These can be harnessed to mediate microbial cell damage. Hydrodynamic cavitation was studied for the partial disruption of E. coli and selective release of specific proteins relative to the total soluble protein. The effects of the cavitation number, the number of passes, and the specific growth rate of E. coli on the release of periplasmic and cytoplasmic proteins were studied. At the optimum cavitation number of 0.17 for this experimental configuration, 48% of the total soluble protein, 88% of acid phosphatase, and 67% of beta-galactosidase were released by hydrodynamic cavitation in comparison with the maximum release attained using multiple passes through the French Press. The higher release of the acid phosphatase over the total soluble protein suggested preferred release of periplasmic compounds. This was supported by SDS-PAGE analysis. The absence of micronization of cell material resulting in the potential for ease of solid-liquid separation downstream of the cell disruption operation was confirmed by TEM microscopy. E. coli cells cultivated at a higher specific growth rate (0.36 h(-1)) were more easily disrupted than slower grown cells (0.11 h(-1)). The specific activity of the enzyme of interest released by hydrodynamic cavitation, defined as the units of enzyme in solution per milligram of total soluble protein, was greater than that obtained on release by the French Press, high-pressure homogenization, osmotic shock, and EDTA treatment. The selectivity offered indicates the potential of enzyme release by hydrodynamic cavitation to ease the purification in the subsequent downstream processing.