DEVELOPMENT OF AN ETHANOL SORBITOL PROCESS USING A CERAMIC MEMBRANE CELL RECYCLE BIOREACTOR

The properties of a ceramic microfiltration membrane unit have been investigated as a component of a cell recycle bioreactor used for the production of ethanol/sorbitol. The conversion is carried out by a glucose/fructose oxidoreductase (and bound co-factor NADP) using cells of Zymomonas mobilis and an equimolar mixture of glucose and fructose. With 100 g/l each of glucose and fructose, a product stream containing 40 g/l sorbitol and 75 g/l ethanol was obtained. The potential economic benefits of such a process are discussed.