DIALYSIS CONTINUOUS PROCESS FOR AMMONIUM LACTATE FERMENTATION - SIMULATED AND EXPERIMENTAL DIALYSATE-FEED, IMMOBILIZED-CELL SYSTEMS

A generalized mathematical model, previously developed and experimentally validated, was modified and used to computer-simulate two dialysate-feed systems for operating a dialysis continuous process for the ammonium lactate fermentation. The simulations predicted that the feeding of substrate into the dialysate circuit and thence into the fermentor circuit via dialysis should greatly improve the production of cell mass and metabolite product. Experiments were conducted to test the system in which the fermentor is operated without an effluent, thus immobilizing the cells. Dried cheese whey ultrafiltrate was rehydrated to contain a normal concentration of lactose (62 mg/ml), supplemented with yeast with an adapted culture of Lactobacillus bulgaricus. The system was operated without interruption for 26 days. Results during steady-state conditions showed that the system is a new and useful way to immobilize living cells for the purpose of producing a metabolite at a high rate for a prolonged time. The substrate consumed by the cells is converted to product via maintenance metabolism only and is sterilized by dialysis. © 1981 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.