Lactic acid production by Lactobacillus delbrueckii in a dual reactor system using packed bed biofilm reactor.
OBJECTIVE
An integrated dual reactor system for continuous production of lactic acid by Lactobacillus delbrueckii using biofilms developed on reticulated polyurethane foam (PUF) is demonstrated.


RESULTS
Lactobacillus delbrueckii was immobilized on PUF, packed in a bioreactor and used in lactic acid fermentation. The rate of lactic acid production was significantly high with a volumetric productivity of 5 g l(-1) h(-1) over extended period of time. When coupled to a bioreactor, the system could be operated as dual reactor for over 1000 h continuously without augmentation of inoculum and no compromise on productivity.


CONCLUSIONS
Polyurethane foams offer an excellent support for biofilm formation.


CONCLUSIONS
The system was very robust and could be operated for prolonged period at a volumetric productivity of 4-6 g l(-1) h(-1).
Rangaswamy
V
V
Industrial Biotechnology Group, Reliance Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd, Navi Mumbai, India. vidhya_rangaswamy@relbio.com
Ramakrishna
S V
SV
D018441:Biofilms; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D002241:Carbohydrates; D005285:Fermentation; D007218:Industrial Microbiology; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D048668:Lactobacillus delbrueckii / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011140:Polyurethanes; D013997:Time Factors
D002241:Carbohydrates; D011140:Polyurethanes; D019344:Lactic Acid; C028279:polyurethane foam