Encapsulation of microbial cells in microfluidic system aiming at development of biotechnological processes

• Grant number: 14/26814-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: May 01, 2015
• End date: February 28, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Lucimara Gaziola de la Torre
• Grantee: Aline Furtado Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 16/13167-9 - Investigation of bacterial cells behavior in alginate microparticles encapsulated by droplet-based microfluidics technique, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Methods of immobilizing biocatalysts have been an important parameter associated in the development of bioprocesses with high productivity. However, diffusional limitations imposed by polymeric matrix and heterogeneous particles size is still a challenge to be overcomed in these systems. Accordingly, microfluidics emerge as a promising technique for production and research micro particles for encapsulation of microorganisms. The droplet microfluidic technique produces monodisperse micro particles, wherein this tool can enhance the encapsulation techniques. Furthermore, microbioreactors systems can be used to evaluate the yield obtained by encapsulated microorganism in conditions suitable for microbial growth. Thus, this project has the aim to use microfluidic technique as a new tool to Bacillus subtilis encapsulation and production of microbial lipase, an enzyme with biotechnological interest relevant. The first step of this project consist in development of droplet microfluidic system to encapsulate Bacillus subtilis cells in hydrogel alginate matrix, which the gelation process will occur inside microchannels and it will allow to study ideal conditions of matrix concentration to keep viability cell and obtain homogeneous particle size. The next step will be the development of a microbioreactor to evaluate, in parallel, cell yield and kinetic parameters of the lipase produced by Bacillus subtilis previously encapsulated by microfluidics process and comparing it with free bacteria. In the third will consist in amplify the microparticles production by droplet microfluidic system in order to investigate their application in industrial processes, analyzing the productivity and resistance of microparticles of encapsulated microorganisms on submerged cultivation. This project will be developed by our research group, which has experience in the development of Microfluidic processes, which includes micro and nanoencapsulation, the generation of concentration gradient and application of microorganisms in microfluidics. Moreover, there will be collaboration of research group at the Federal University of São Carlos Campus Araras that has experience in development of fermentation processes. This project hopes to contribute in the areas of microfluidics and fermentation processes, particularly for the development of new biocatalysts immobilization techniques. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

OLIVEIRA, ALINE F.; BASTOS, REINALDO G.; DE LA TORRE, LUCIMARA G.. Bacillus subtilis immobilization in alginate microfluidic-based microparticles aiming to improve lipase productivity. Biochemical Engineering Journal, v. 143, p. 110-120, MAR 15 2019. (16/13167-9, 14/26814-7, 15/26701-0)

OLIVEIRA, ALINE F.; PESSOA, AMANDA C. S. N.; BASTOS, REINALDO G.; DE LA TORRE, LUCIMARA G.. Microfluidic Tools Toward Industrial Biotechnology. BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, v. 32, n. 6, p. 1372-1389, NOV-DEC 2016. (14/26814-7)

OLIVEIRA, ALINE F.; BASTOS, REINALDO G.; DE LA TORRE, LUCIMARA G.. Double T-junction microfluidic and conventional dripping systems for Bacillus subtilis immobilization in calcium alginate microparticles for lipase production. Enzyme and Microbial Technology, v. 154, p. 11-pg., 2022-03-01. (14/26814-7)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

OLIVEIRA, Aline Furtado. Development of microfluidic systems for lipase production by Bacillus subtilis immobilized on alginate microparticles. 2018. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia Química Campinas, SP.