Testing a prototype pulse generator for a continuous flow system and its use for E. coli inactivation and microalgae lipid extraction.
Among other applications, electroporation is used for the inactivation of pathogens and extraction of substances from microorganisms in liquids where large scale flow systems are used. The aim of our work was therefore to test a pulse generator that enables continuous pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment for Escherichia coli inactivation and microalgae lipid extraction. In the continuous flow PEF system, the flow rate was adjusted so that each bacterial cell received a defined number of pulses. The results of PEF flow treatment showed that the number of pulses influences E. coli inactivation to the same extent as in the previously described cuvette system, i.e., batch system. The continuous flow PEF system was also tested and evaluated for lipid extraction from microalgae Chlorella vulgaris. In control experiments, lipids were extracted via concentration of biomass, drying and cell rupture using pressure or an organic solvent. In contrast, electroporation bypasses all stages, since cells were directly ruptured in the broth and the oil that floated on the broth was skimmed off. The initial experiments showed a 50% oil yield using the electroporation flow system in comparison to extraction with organic solvent.
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Laboratory of Biocybernetics, Trzaska 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Electronic address: karel.flisar@fe.uni-lj.si.
Karel
K
Flisar
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Laboratory of Biocybernetics, Trzaska 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Electronic address: sasa.haberl-meglic@fe.uni-lj.si.
Sasa Haberl
SH
Meglic
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Askerceva cesta 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Electronic address: jernej.morelj@gmail.com.
Jernej
J
Morelj
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Askerceva cesta 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Electronic address: janvit.golob@fkkt.uni-lj.si.
Janvit
J
Golob
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Laboratory of Biocybernetics, Trzaska 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Electronic address: damijan.miklavcic@fe.uni-lj.si.
Damijan
D
Miklavcic
D005591:Chemical Fractionation / Q000379:methods*; D048408:Chlorella vulgaris / Q000737:chemistry*; D018274:Electroporation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D048168:Escherichia coli K12 / Q000502:physiology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D058086:Microalgae / Q000737:chemistry*; D050296:Microbial Viability
D008055:Lipids
Continuous flow system; Escherichia coli inactivation; Microalgae lipid extraction; PEF