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Application of bipolar electrodialysis to E. coli fermentation for simultaneous acetate removal and pH control

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Abstract

The application of bipolar electrodialysis (BPED) for the simultaneous removal of inhibitory acetate and pH control during E. coli fermentation was investigated. A two cell pair electrodialysis module, consisting of cation exchange, anion exchange and bipolar membranes with working area of 100 cm2 each, was integrated with a standard 7 l stirred tank bioreactor. Results showed that BPED was beneficial in terms of in situ removal of inhibitory acetate and a reduction in the amount NH4OH used for pH control. In batch and fed-batch BPED fermentations, base additions were decreased by up to 50% in both cases compared to electrodialysis (ED) fermentations with pH controlled at 6.7 ± 0.1. Consequently, the final biomass (34.2 g DCW l−1) and recombinant protein (5.5 g l−1) concentrations obtained were increased by up to 37 and 20%, respectively.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for support of the multidisciplinary Biocatalysis Integrated with Chemistry and Engineering (BiCE) programme (GR/S62505/01). Financial support from the 13 industrial partners supporting the BiCE programme is also acknowledged. MW would also like to thank the EPSRC and EKB Technology Ltd for financial support (EngD studentship from the UCL Industrial Doctorate Training Centre (IDTC) in Bioprocess Leadership).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7JE, UK

    Michael Wong & Gary J. Lye

  2. Process Engineering and Technology Group, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Lyngby, Denmark

    John M. Woodley

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  1. Michael Wong
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  2. John M. Woodley
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  3. Gary J. Lye
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Correspondence to Gary J. Lye.

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Wong, M., Woodley, J.M. & Lye, G.J. Application of bipolar electrodialysis to E. coli fermentation for simultaneous acetate removal and pH control. Biotechnol Lett 32, 1053–1057 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-010-0266-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-010-0266-0

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