ISSN:
0006-3592
Keywords:
Chemistry
;
Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
Notes:
Whole cells of the methanogen Methanosarcina barkeri were immobilized in an alginate network which was crosslinked with Ca2+ ions. The rates of methanol conversion to methane of entrapped cells were found to be in the same range as the corresponding rates of free cells. Furthermore, immobilized cells were active for a longer period than free cells. The particle size of the spherical alginate beads (1.2 mm-3.7 mm φ) and thus diffusion had no obvious influence on the turnover of methanol. The half-value period for methanol conversion activity determined in a buffer medium was approximately 4 days at 37°C for entrapped cells. The apparent Km value Km′ for such cells was nearly 140mM and the Vmax value was about 1.2 μmol methanol/min/mg entrapped protein. Therefore the high rates of methanol degradation measured, e.g., 0.5 μmol methanol/min/mg entrapped protein, indicated that the immobilization technique preserved the cellular functions of this methanogenic bacterium.
Additional Material:
3 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bit.260230513
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