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A systematic selection of the non-aqueous phase in a bacterial two liquid phase bioreactor treating α-pinene

  • Biotechnological Products and Process Engineering
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Abstract

A systematic evaluation of the selection criteria of non-aqueous phases in two liquid phase bioreactors (TLPBs), also named two-phase partitioning bioreactors (TPPBs), was carried out using the biodegradation of α-pinene by Pseudomonas fluorescens NCIMB 11671 as a model process. A preliminary solvent screening was thus carried out among the most common non-aqueous phases reported in literature for volatile organic contaminants biodegradation in TLPBs: silicon oil, paraffin oil, hexadecane, diethyl sebacate, dibutyl-phtalate, FC 40, 1,1,1,3,5,5,5-heptamethyltrisiloxane (HMS), and 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-heptamethylnonane (HMN). FC 40, silicone oil, HMS, and HMN were first selected based on its biocompatibility, resistance to microbial attack, and α-pinene mass transport characteristics. FC 40, HMS, HMN, and silicone oil at 10% (v/v) enhanced α-pinene mass transport from the gas to the liquid phase by a factor of 3.8, 14.8, 11.4, and 8.6, respectively, compared to a single-phase aqueous system. FC 40 and HMN were finally compared for their ability to enhance α-pinene biodegradation in a mechanically agitated bioreactor. The use of FC 40 or HMN (both at 10% v/v) sustained non-steady state removal efficiencies (RE) and elimination capacities (EC) approximately 7 and 12 times higher than those achieved in the system without an organic phase, respectively. In addition, preliminary results showed that P fluorescens could uptake and mineralize α-pinene directly from the non aqueous phase.

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Acknowledgment

This research was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (PPQ2006-08230 and RYC-2007-01667 contracts). Luis Tello from 3M is kindly acknowledged for providing the perfluorinated FC40.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Paseo del Prado de la Magdalena s/n, Valladolid, Spain

    Raúl Muñoz, Martin Chambaud, Sergio Bordel & Santiago Villaverde

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  1. Raúl Muñoz
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  2. Martin Chambaud
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  3. Sergio Bordel
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  4. Santiago Villaverde
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Correspondence to Santiago Villaverde.

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Muñoz, R., Chambaud, M., Bordel, S. et al. A systematic selection of the non-aqueous phase in a bacterial two liquid phase bioreactor treating α-pinene. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 79, 33–41 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-008-1400-y

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