Catalytic Pseudomonas taiwanensis VLB120ΔC Biofilms Thrive in a Continuous Pure Styrene Generated by Multiphasic Segmented Flow in a Capillary Microreactor

Abstract

This study investigated the survival and catalytic potential of a single species Pseudomonas taiwanensis VLB120∆C biofilm for the conversion of styrene to (S)-styrene oxide in a multiphasic capillary microreactor containing the highly toxic substrate styrene as a pure phase. The catalytic biofilm was cultivated under high fluidic stress in a continuous three-phase segmented flow system comprising aqueous medium, air, and styrene. This concept required an adaptation period of 7 days, during which P. taiwanensis VLB120∆C developed a biofilm exhibiting a remarkable cellular integrity with nearly 70% intact cells. In a three-phase segmented flow biofilm microreactor, an average specific styrene epoxidation rate of 10 g/L tube /day was achieved continuously for a period of 20 days without any clogging problems. Overall, this note highlights the robustness of biofilms as a promising biocatalyst format for the conversion/synthesis of toxic organic chemicals and the applicability of multiphasic capillary microreactors for biofilm based catalysis.

Recombinant Escherichia coli BL21-pET28a-egfp Cultivated with Nanomaterials in a Modified Microchannel for Biofilm Formation

“…This stability resulted from the stronger resistance to fluid shear force caused by the increase of adhesion strength, thereby, accelerating the growth rate of the biofilms [ 27 ]. However, the growth of the biofilms was limited by factors such as flow rate, oxygen content, and nutritional status; the total amount of the biofilms eventually reached a steady value with a tendency to balance [ 28 ]. There was no significant difference in the total biomass of biofilms in modified and unmodified microchannels after equilibrium was reached.…”

Mixed-trophies biofilm cultivation in capillary reactors

“…This strain was obtained from the Pasteur Culture Collection, PCC, Paris, France. As oxygen respiring organism, the heterotrophic Pseudomonas taiwanensis VLB120 was selected due to its excellent biofilm forming abilities and huge biocatalytic potential, which was already investigated in numerous studies [[17], [18], [19], [20]]. This strain was taken from our in house collection, and is also available at the German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, DSMZ, Braunschweig, Germany under the reference number 26739.Cultivation of the microorganisms in suspended cultureCultivation of Synechocystis sp.…”

Maximizing the stability of metabolic engineering‐derived whole‐cell biocatalysts

“…Naturally immobilized whole‐cell biocatalysts embedded in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances are referred to as catalytic biofilms . The markedly high physical stability of biofilms and their resilience against toxic substances have been exploited in continuous biocatalytic syntheses. Prominent examples are the oxygenation of styrene , cyclohexane , or limonene with various Pseudomonads or the dehalogenation of haloalkanes with E. coli .…”