Fully integrated L-phenylalanine separation and concentration using reactive-extraction with liquid-liquid centrifuges in a fed-batch process with E. coli

A novel in situ product recovery (ISPR) approach for the (fully) integrated separation of L-phenylalanine (L-phe) from a 20 l fed-batch process with the recombinant L-tyrosine auxotrophic strain E. coli F-4/pF81 is presented. The strain was rationally constructed for the production of the aromatic amino acid. Glucose and tyrosine control is used. A reactive extraction system consisting of kerosene, the cation-selective carrier D₂EHPA and sulphuric acid, all circulating in liquid-liquid centrifuges, is applied for the on-line L-phe separation from cell- and protein-free permeate. Permeate is drained off from the bioreactor bypass. Using the novel ISPR approach, a significantly extended product formation period at 0.25 mmol/(g*h) together with a reduced by-product formation and a 28% relative glucose/L-phe yield increase is observed. Thus, the ISPR approach is superior to the reference non-ISPR process and even offers extraction rates approximately three times higher than the published membrane-based process.