Enhancement of oxygen transfer rates in fermentation using oxygen-vectors.
Oxygen transfer is one of the bottlenecks in conventional fermentation technology and it has so far been almost totally overlooked with regards to high cell densities and immobilized cells. This review presents some new concepts to improve oxygen supply in aerobic fermentations, especially the use of oxygen-vectors. The oxygen-vectors generally used are liquids which are insoluble in the fermentation media. Their utilization in an emulsified form can significantly increase the oxygen transfer coefficient between gas and aqueous phases. It seems that the vector acts as an active intermediate in the oxygen transport from gas bubbles to aqueous phase, but the mechanisms involved in this unconventional technique of aeration are not yet known.
Rols
J L
JL
Département de Génie Biochimique et Alimentaire, UA CNRS 544, Centre de Transfert en Biotechnologie Microbiologie, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées, Avenue de Rangueil, 31077 Toulouse Cédex, France.
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