Gluconic acid production from sucrose in an airlift reactor using a multi-enzyme system

Author(s)

Oliveira Mafra, Agnes Cristina ^[1] ; Furlan, Felipe Fernando ^[1] ; Badino, Alberto Colli ^{[2, 1]} ; Tardioli, Paulo Waldir ^{[2, 1]}

Affiliation

^[1] Fed Univ Sao Carlos PPGEQ UFSCar, Postgrad Program Chem Engn, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Chem Engn, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering; v. 38, n. 4, p. 671-680, APR 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 11

Abstract

Sucrose from sugarcane is produced in abundance in Brazil, which provides an opportunity to manufacture other high-value products. Gluconic acid (GA) can be produced by multi-enzyme conversion of sucrose using the enzymes invertase, glucose oxidase, and catalase. In this process, one of the byproducts is fructose, which has many commercial applications. This work concerns the batch mode production of GA in an airlift reactor fed with sucrose as substrate. Evaluation was made of the influence of temperature and pH, as well as the thermal stability of the enzymes. Operational conditions of 40 degrees C and pH 6.0 were selected, based on the enzymatic activity profiles and the thermal stabilities. Under these conditions, the experimental data could be accurately described by kinetic models. The maximum yield of GA was achieved within 3.8 h, with total conversion of sucrose and glucose and a volumetric productivity of around 7.0 g L-1 h(-1). (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/23807-1 - Development and evaluation of the operational conditions of bioreactors for production of biotechnological products
• Grantee: Alberto Colli Badino Junior
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants