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A structured approach to design and operation of biotransformation processes

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Journal of Industrial Microbiology

Abstract

A structured approach to design and operation of biotransformation (bioconversion) processes, based on previous case studies, has been developed. This requires knowledge of the key characteristics of a biotransformation which determine the constraints on process selection. The approach is illustrated for five biotransformations, two enzymic and three microbial. Some generic problems such as low water solubility and volatility of reactants, reactant and product toxicity have been identified. The microblal oxidations of toluene and fluorobenzene to toluenecis-glycol and fluorocatechol respectively byPseudomonas putida have been used to illustrate how these constraints may be overcome by addition of tetradecane as a second liquid phase, use of a membrane oxygenator and introduction ofin situ product removal.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, University College London, London, UK

    M D Lilly & J M Woodley

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  1. M D Lilly
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  2. J M Woodley
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Lilly, M.D., Woodley, J.M. A structured approach to design and operation of biotransformation processes. Journal of Industrial Microbiology 17, 24–29 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01570144

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01570144

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