High Cell Density Culture of Dairy Propionibacterium sp. and Acidipropionibacterium sp.: A Review for Food Industry Applications

Abstract

The dairy bacteria Propionibacterium sp. and Acidipropionibacterium sp. are versatile and potentially probiotic microorganisms showing outstanding functionalities for the food industry, such as the production of propionic acid and vitamin B 12 biosynthesis. They are the only food grade microorganisms able to produce vitamin B 12 . However, the fermentation batch process using these bacteria present some bioprocess limitations due to strong end-product inhibition, cells slow-growing rates, low product titer, yields and productivities, which reduces the bioprocess prospects for industrial applications. The high cell density culture (HCDC) bioprocess system is known as an efficient approach to overcome most of those problems. The main techniques applied to achieve HCDC of dairy Propionibacterium are the fed-batch cultivation, cell recycling, perfusion, extractive fermentation, and immobilization. In this review, the techniques available and reported to achieve HCDC of Propionibacterium sp. and Acidipropionibacterium sp. are discussed, and the advantages and drawbacks of this system of cultivation in relation to biomass formation, vitamin B 12 biosynthesis, and propionic acid production are evaluated.

Effect of the Encapsulation Process on the Viability of Probiotics in a Simulated Gastrointestinal Tract Model Medium

“…Three strains of propionic acid bacteria, Propionibacterium asidirgorionici, Propionibacterium freudenreichii, and Propionibacterium thoeni, were subjected to in vitro analysis to evaluate their probiotic potential. Propionibacterium grows within the temperature range of 15-40 • C. The optimum growth temperature for classical propionic acid bacteria is 30 ± 1 • C. The optimal pH value of propionic acid bacteria growth is 6.5-7.0 (maximum-8.0, minimum-4.6) [29,30].…”

The role of divalent iron cations in the growth, adhesive properties and extracellular adaptation mechanisms of Propionibacterium sp

“…Propionibacterium metabolites and whole cells are widely used in different industries: food, cosmetic or pharmaceutical ( Piwowarek et al, 2018 ). Furthermore, they are the only food microorganisms capable of generating vitamin B 12 ( de Assis et al, 2022 ). Besides, they can be used as feed additives.…”