Investigation of culture conditions by Response Surface Methodology and kinetic modeling for exopolysaccharide production by Klebsiella oxytoca ICCF 419 strain, using lactose as substrate

Abstract

The objective of this work was to optimize the bioprocess parameters, using Klebsiella oxytoca ICCF 419 to obtain an exopolysaccharide based on lactose as substrate. A kinetic study was employed and Logistic and Gompertz models were applied to describe the polysaccharide production, in relation with biomass growth and substrate consumption. The RSM methodology based on Central Composite Rotatable Design was used to evaluate and optimize the effect of lactose, corn extract, KH2PO4 and citric acid concentrations as independent variables on the polysaccharide production, biomass growth and substrate consumption as the response functions. The interaction effects and optimal parameters were obtained using Design Expert Software (version 9.0.6.2). The significance of the variables and their interactions was tested by means of ANOVA analysis with a 99% confidence level. The optimum culture conditions were determined and the model prediction was compared with experimental results. At an initial value of 23.45 for the C/N in the fermentation medium, the strain produces 17.41 g/L of crude polysaccharide and 2.53 g/L dry biomass. The EPS production was significantly influenced by lactose, corn extract and KH2PO4, while the citric acid had no influence. The biomass growth was influenced by the corn extract, KH2PO4 and citric acid.