The Open Systems Biology Journal
2010, 3 : 9-20Published online 2010 April 29. DOI: 10.2174/1876392801003010009
Publisher ID: TOSYSBJ-3-9
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Kinetic Studies on Alcoholic Fermentation Under Substrate Inhibition Conditions Using a Bioreactor with Stirred Bed of Immobilized Yeast Cells
1
University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Gr.T. Popa” of Iasi, Faculty of Medical Bioengineering, Dept. of Medical Biotechnologies, M. Kogalniceanu 9-13, 700454, Iasi, Romania
2 Technical University “Gheorghe Asachi” of Iasi, Faculty of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Dept. of Biochemical Engineering, D. Mangeron 71, 700050, Romania
* Address correspondence to this author at the Technical University “Gheorghe Asachi” of Iasi D. Mangeron 71, 700050 Iasi, Romania; Fax: 0040232271311; E-mail: , dancasca@ch.tuiasi.ro
2 Technical University “Gheorghe Asachi” of Iasi, Faculty of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Dept. of Biochemical Engineering, D. Mangeron 71, 700050, Romania
* Address correspondence to this author at the Technical University “Gheorghe Asachi” of Iasi D. Mangeron 71, 700050 Iasi, Romania; Fax: 0040232271311; E-mail: , dancasca@ch.tuiasi.ro
ABSTRACT
The studies on the alcoholic fermentation with immobilized S. cerevisiae cells on alginate using a bioreactor with stirred beds of biocatalysts indicated that the diffusion inside the biocatalyst particles attenuates or avoids the inhibitory effects, preserving the microbial activity. Using a mathematical model adequate for ethanol formation in heterogeneous systems the kinetic parameters V, KI and K’M have been estimated. Therefore, the obtained values of V and K’M were found to be higher than those corresponding to the homogeneous media under ethanol inhibition, but lower than those for homogeneous media without inhibitory fenomena.