Production of bacterial cellulose by Gluconacetobacter hasenii using a new bioreactor equipped with centrifugal impeller

Abstract

− In order to improve the bacterial cellulose(BC) production yield, centrifugal and inclined centrifugal impellers were developed. A 6 flat-blade turbine impeller was used as a control system. The flow pattern in the fermenter and volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient(k L a) of these fermentation systems were studied. Fermentations were carried out for the production of BC by G. hansenii PJK in a 2-L jar fermenter equipped with new impellers. Liquid medium was circulated from the bottom, through the cylinder of the impeller and to the wall. The volumetric oxygen transfer coefficients, k L a, of inclined centrifugal and centrifugal impeller systems at 100 rpm were 23 and 15% of the conventional turbine impeller system, respectively. However, the conversion of microbial cells to cellulose non-producing mutant decreased and this results in the increase in BC production at low rotating speed of impellers.