Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vol.91-93, 195-204, 2001
Enhancement of the conversion of toluene by Pseudomonas putida F-1 using organic cosolvents
Pseudomonas putida F-1 (ATCC 700007) was used as a model organism in stirred tank reactors to study conversion enhancement of poorly soluble substrates by organic cosolvents. After a literature study, silicone oil was used as a solvent system to enhance the mass transfer rate. To study the benefits of the organic solvent addition, batch experiments were conducted in two side-hv-side fermentation vessels (experimental and control) at three different levels of silicone oil (10, 30, and 50%). Results showed that the presence of silicone oil resulted in a 100% increase in the toluene mass transfer compared to the control. Experiments in continuous stirred-tank reactors showed that improved conversion could be obtained at higher agitation rates.