Increased protein productivity from immobilized recombinant yeast

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain Mc16/p520 has an unstable plasmid, p520, which directs production of a wheat alpha-amylase. The effects of immobilizing this microorganism on the plasmid stability and the specific productivity of the secreted alpha-amylase were investigated. Small gelatin beads were used as the support in both fluidized and packed bed configurations, and the yeast cells were attached by covalent cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. These data were then compared to those for nonimmobilized, suspension cells.Plasmid stability was increased for the immobilized cells during continuous culture at dilution rates both above and below washout. Continuous suspension cultures were not stable and rapidly lost the plasmid. Immobilization caused an increase in specific and volumetric productivity during continuous culture, with a packed bed design resulting in the highest specific productivity.