Abstract

SERRATO B, Juan Carlos  and  CAICEDO M., Luis. A.. The effect on lactic fermentation of concentrating inert material with immobilised cells in a calcium alginate biocatalyser. Ing. Investig. [online]. 2005, vol.25, n.2, pp.78-82. ISSN 0120-5609.

Colombia is one of the world’s main sugarcane cultivating countries but it has not diversified its fermentation industry; a few fermentation industries produce alcohol and yeasts. Lactic acid and its derivatives then become alternatives providing added value to the sugar produced, thus benefiting the regions producing the sugar. This work evaluated the kinetics of lactic acid production using immobilised cells in calcium alginate at different concentrations of inert material. Lactobacillus delbrueckii was the microorganism used and fermentation broth mainly consisted of sucrose and yeast exact. CSTR reactors were used without pH control. The results suggested that 2% to 3% inert material in the biocatalyst increased cellular retention and diffusiveness, leading to improved conversion and reaction rate.

Keywords : lactic acid; fermentation; biocatalyst; immobilised cells; calcium alginate.

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