Comparison of the continuous flotation performances of Saccharomyces cerevisiae LBG H620 and DSM 2155 strains

Saccharomyces cerevisiae LBG H620 and DSM 2155 strains were continuously cultivated under carbon (C)-limited, phosphorus (P)-limited and nitrogen (N)-limited growth conditions. Cell and protein concentrations in feed, foam, and residue as well as the degree of cell recovery and the rate of foaming were measured, and the concentration and enrichment factors were evaluated at different dilution rates (D). The LBG H620 cells were reduced, while the DSM 2155 cells were enriched in the foam. The highest concentration factors in DSM 2155 cells were attained if they were cultivated under strong P-limitation at a low D. Fairly high concentration factors were also found under C-limitation. Under N-limitation, low concentration factors were found with low Ds. At the beginning of the continuous cultivations, all of the cells were recovered, but with advancing time the degree of recovery and cell concentration and the enrichment factor ratio diminished. The cellular properties of the yeast were characterized by flow cytometry, and the surface properties by measurements of their hydrophobicity, electrophoretic mobility, and chemical composition (using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XPS). These investigations indicated that the large difference in flotation between the two strains is due to different surface properties. Strain DSM 2155 has higher surface hydrophobicity and lower electrokinetic potential. Cell wall properties and the cell flotation depend on medium composition and age of the culture.Correspondence to: K. Schügerl