MICROFILTRATION MEMBRANE BIOREACTOR IN STIRRED BACKFLUSH OPERATION FOR BIOTRANSFORMATION USING INTACT CELLS

Abstract A microfiltration membrane bioreactor in stirred backflush operation was designed for biotransformation using intact cells. The production of l -aspartic acid from fumarate by Escherichia coli with aspartase was carried out to investigate the optimal pore size of membrane and cell loading in the reactor. The performance of biotransformation using intact cells in the membrane reactor and using immobilized cells in the packed bed reactor were compared.