Studies on Cephalosporin-C production using immobilised cells of Cephalosporium acremonium in a packed bed reactor

Abstract

The production of the β-lactam antibiotic, Cephalosporin-C in a packed bed bioreactor was studied using Cephalosporium acremonium immobilised in calcium alginate, bagasse, and silk sachets. The specific β-lactam antibiotic production rate of immobilised cells was about 120%, 125% and 133% at 100 h (free cells 100%) for calcium alginate, bagasse and silk sachets, respectively. A cells-to-carrier ratio of 3:2 was found to be optimum throughout these studies. The effect of recycle ratio indicated diffusion barriers to substrate transport. © 1992.