Diffusion Limitation in Lactic Acid Production by Immobilized Cells

Abstract

Lactic acid production using immobilized Lactobacillus delbrueckii (NRRL B 445) cells was investigated in continuous paked column reactor. Calcium alginate was used as supporting material for the immobilization and the so obtained calcium alginate beads which contain cells were used as packed material in the column. In the lactic acid production process from glucose, data were obtained in the range of flow rates from 2.5 ml/min to 6.0 ml/min keeping the temperature fixed at 45°C. In order to avoid product inhibition, the produced lactic acid was neutralized using calcium carbonate. The effects of diffusion Limitation on the productivity and Michaelis-Menten constants were investigated.