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Fed-batch Production of Gluconic Acid by Terpene-treated Aspergillus niger Spores

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Abstract

Aspergillus niger spores were used as catalyst in the bioconversion of glucose to gluconic acid. Spores produced by solid-state fermentation were treated with 15 different terpenes including monoterpenes and monoterpenoids to permeabilize and inhibit spore germination. It was found that spore membrane permeability is significantly increased by treatment with terpenoids when compared to monoterpenes. Best results were obtained with citral and isonovalal. Studies were carried out to optimize spores concentration (107–1010 spores/mL), terpene concentrations in the bioconversion medium and time of exposure (1–18 h) needed for permeabilization of spores. Fed-batch production of gluconate was done in a bioreactor with the best conditions [109 spores/mL of freeze-thawed spores treated with citral (3% v/v) for 5 h] followed by sequential additions of glucose powder and pH-regulated with a solution containing 2 mol/L of either NaOH or KOH. Bioconversion performance of the spore enzyme was compared with the commercial glucose oxidase at 50, 60, and 70 °C. Results showed that the spore enzyme was comparatively stable at 60 °C. It was also found that the spores could be reutilized for more than 14 cycles with almost similar reaction rate. Similar biocatalytic activity was rendered by spores even after its storage of 1 year at −20 °C. This study provided an experimental evidence of the significant catalytic role played by A. niger spore in bioconversion of glucose to gluconic acid with high yield and stability, giving protection to glucose oxidase.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Génie Chimique et Biochimique (LGCB), Polytech’Clermont Ferrand–Université Blaise Pascal, 24, avenue des Landais, B.P. 206, Aubière Cedex, 63174, France

    Sumitra Ramachandran, Pierre Fontanille & Christian Larroche

  2. Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, CSIR, Trivandrum, 695 019, India

    Ashok Pandey

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  1. Sumitra Ramachandran
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  2. Pierre Fontanille
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  3. Ashok Pandey
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  4. Christian Larroche
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Correspondence to Christian Larroche.

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Ramachandran, S., Fontanille, P., Pandey, A. et al. Fed-batch Production of Gluconic Acid by Terpene-treated Aspergillus niger Spores. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 151, 413–423 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-008-8209-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-008-8209-0

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