Luffa cylindrica and phytosterols bioconversion: from shake flask to jar bioreactor

• Published in: Journal of industrial microbiology & biotechnology Vol. 40; no. 11; pp. 1315 - 1320
• Main Authors: Bou Saab, Hamid, Fouchard, Samuel, Boulanger, Anna, Llopiz, Pierre, Neunlist, Serge
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01-11-2013; Springer Berlin Heidelberg; Springer; Oxford University Press; Springer Verlag
• Subjects: Androstenes - metabolism; Bacteria; Biocatalysts; Biochemistry; Bioconversions. Hemisynthesis; Bioinformatics; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Bioreactors; Bioreactors - economics; Biotechnology; Biotransformation; Cell growth; Cells, Immobilized - metabolism; Chemical Sciences; cholesterol; Cholesterol - metabolism; dried fruit; Fibers; Fruit - economics; Fruit - metabolism; Fruit - ultrastructure; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetic Engineering; immobilized cells; Inorganic Chemistry; Life Sciences; Luffa - metabolism; Luffa - ultrastructure; Luffa aegyptiaca; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Microbiology; Mycobacterium; Mycobacterium - cytology; Mycobacterium - metabolism; Organic chemistry; phytosterols; Phytosterols - biosynthesis; Phytosterols - metabolism; Process controls; Proteins; Short Communication; Solubility; solubilization; Steroids; Sterols; Studies; Various methods and equipments; Bioconversion; sp; Phytosterols; Steroids; Steroid; Luffa cylindrica; Mycobacterium; Bioreactor; Mycobacteriales; Biotransformation; Phytosterol; Mycobacteriaceae; Bacteria; Mycobacterium sp; Actinomycetes; Flask
• ISSN: 1367-5435; 1476-5535
• DOI: 10.1007/s10295-013-1315-1

Bioconversion of lipophilic compounds poorly soluble in water, such as sterols, required the use of chemicals and solubilizing agents. On the other hand, it was shown that immobilization of Mycobacterium species on the dried fruit of Luffa cylindrica (DFLC) allows a close interaction between immobilized cells and cholesterol particles and increases by then the product’s yield. In this work, the use of DFLC in a 5-l jar bioreactor with phytosterols mixture (1 g/l) as substrate was assessed without addition of any chemicals or solubilizing agents. DFLC increased by a factor of four the volumetric productivity of androstenones (0.08 g/l day). Products were accumulated in the aqueous medium while substrates remained on the fibers of DFLC. This observation lets envisage a green semi-continuous process of androstenone production. DFLC has no influence on cell growth, and is moreover natural, inexpensive, non-toxic, and mechanically strong.