Hollow mesoporous silica microspheres: Potential for increased fermentation and enzymatic process productivity
Charles Gaudreault, Mathilde Gosselin and Cé Guinto Gamys
Materium Innovation, Canada
: J Pharm Drug Deliv Res
Abstract
Historically, fermentation has been done in suspended growth and increased productivity was obtained via bioreactor operational parameters optimization, microbial strain selection and genetic engineering. Similarly, enzymatic reactor productivity was increased via reactor and enzyme optimization. One area that has been too often overlooked in both fermentation and enzymatic processes is the possibility to increase productivity via adsorption to a mobile media support. Materium Innovation has developed a hollow mesoporous silica microsphere (MATSPHERES Series) that can be used as both a microorganisms’ carrier and as an immobilization support for enzymes. MATSPHERES’ high specific surface area and surface chemistry are well suited for microorganism or enzyme adsorption. Results demonstrate that fermentation incubation time is reduced by several hours and productivity is increased up to 30%. Results also shows that immobilized enzymes activity is increased compared to free enzyme. Furthermore, immobilized enzymes are protected against pH and temperature changes. Finally, immobilization has an advantageous impact on process costs since it reduce microorganism’s washout and allow enzymes recycling.
Biography
mgosselin@materium.camgosselin@materium.ca
