Monday, May 5, 2008
7-48

Development and operation of a solid-state fermentation bioreactor for lipase production using an agro-industrial residue as culture medium

Melissa L. E. Gutarra1, Mateus G. Godoy1, Jaqueline N. Silva1, Marcus V.M. Silva1, Leda R. Castilho2, and Denise M.G. Freire1. (1) Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, (2) Programa de Engenharia Química, COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The fungus Penicillium simplicissimum produces lipase by solid state fermentation in tray-type bioreactor using the babassu cake, an abundant agro-industrial residue, as culture medium. This process provides high quantities of an acid and thermostable lipase with low-cost. Here, a solid state fermentation bioreactor, projected to operate as a packed-bed or an agitated-bed, was developed for scale-up studies in P. simplicissimum lipase production allowing fermentation of 40 times more solids. The type of bioreactor, aeration rate and inoculum type were evaluated for lipase production. In packed-bed bioreactor, maximum lipase production obtained with spores as inoculum (conventional inoculum type) was reached in 72 hour of fermentation (49.4 U/g of dried mass). However with 10% fermented babassu cake as inoculum the lag growth phase was reduced and lipase production anticipated, reaching a maximum lipase production in 48 hours of fermentation (69.5 U/g of dried mass) showing 2.4 times higher productivity when compared with spores inoculum. The lipase activity and productivity increase with higher flow rates showing maximum values with 11.6 L/minute. The agitated bed bioreactor, operating with fermented solids as inoculum, aeration rate of 11.6 L/minute and agitation of 30 rpm, anticipated lipase production showing maximum activity and productivity (22.7 U/g and 0.95 U/g.h, respectively) in 24 hour of fermentation. The production in packed-bed and agitated-bed bioreactor showed lipase activities and productivities comparable to those produced in the tray-type bioreactor (77.3 U/g and 1.1 U/g.h, respectively). This bioreactor worked efficiently to P. simplicissimum lipase production and consist of an alternative to subsequently scale-up.

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