An increase of curdlan productivity by integration of carbon/nitrogen sources control and sequencing dual fed-batch fermentors operation

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol. 2014 Jan-Feb;50(1):44-51. doi: 10.7868/s0555109914010152.

Abstract

Curdlan is produced by Agrobacterium sp. ATCC 31749 under nitrogen-limited conditions not associated with cell growth. A novel curdlan production process was developed based on the different nutrient requirements for microbial cell growth and its efficiency was increased by integrating carbon/nitrogen sources control and sequencing dual fed-batch fermentors operation. By feeding ammonium solution to supply abundant nitrogen source and controlling pH in Fermentor I, cell growth was accelerated. High cell density of 29 g/L was attained. The culture broth in Fermentor I was then inoculated into sequencing Fermentor II which alleviated the high requirement for dissolved oxygen and accumulation of inhibitory metabolic by-products during curdlan production. Fermentor I promoted cell growth. Curdlan production started instantaneously in Fermentor II. By feeding nutrient solution with high carbon/nitrogen ratio and NaOH solution for pH adjustment, a feasible and optimal curdlan production process was formulated. The productivity, conversion efficiency and curdlan yield were achieved of 0.98 g/(L h), 57% (w) and 67 g/L, respectively. Such novel process can be scaled up for significant cost reduction at the industrial level.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agrobacterium / metabolism*
  • Agrobacterium / ultrastructure
  • Ammonia / metabolism
  • Batch Cell Culture Techniques
  • Bioreactors
  • Carbon / metabolism*
  • Culture Media
  • Fermentation
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Nitrogen / metabolism*
  • Oxygen / metabolism
  • Quality Control
  • beta-Glucans / metabolism*

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • beta-Glucans
  • curdlan
  • Carbon
  • Ammonia
  • Nitrogen
  • Oxygen