A strategic study using mutant-strain entrapment in calcium alginate for the production of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells with high invertase activity.
Entrapped cells and entrapped cells grown inside of a calcium alginate matrix as well as free cells have been investigated using Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant strains with regard to their pattern of growth and invertase activity. The repression of invertase by glucose and glucose-consumption ability were considered in the selection process of the mutants. Efficient sucrose bioconversion due to high invertase activity was obtained when entrapped mutant strain Q6R2 cells were grown within calcium alginate gel beads using sucrose plus glucose as the carbon source. Under these conditions, 1 mg (dry weight) of entrapped cells is able to produce 20 micromol of inverted sugar in 3 min (the maximum activity obtained was 20 units x mg(-1)). The experiments were carried out for 6 months without appreciable loss of either bead integrity or invertase activity. The biocatalyst was also stored at 4 degrees C for 6 months without appreciable loss of the invertase activity. This work shows that entrapped yeast cells with a weak ability to consume sugar may be used to produce inverted sugar.
Rossi-Alva
Juan Carlos
JC
Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21910-21900, Brazil. jcrossi@iq.ufrj.br
Rocha-Leão
Maria Helena Miguez
MH
D000464:Alginates; D002118:Calcium / Q000737:chemistry; D018914:Cells, Immobilized / Q000378:metabolism*; D003470:Culture Media; D005632:Fructose / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D013395:Sucrose / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D043324:beta-Fructofuranosidase / Q000378:metabolism*
D000464:Alginates; D003470:Culture Media; D005632:Fructose; D013395:Sucrose; D043324:beta-Fructofuranosidase; D005947:Glucose; D002118:Calcium