EFFECTS OF OXYGEN AND CARBON-DIOXIDE PRESSURES ON BACTERIAL CELLULOSEPRODUCTION BY ACETOBACTER IN AERATED AND AGITATED CULTURE

With the aim of improving bacterial cellulose (BC) production in an ae rated and agitated culture, the effects of the oxygen and carbon dioxi de pressures were investigated. The BC production rate was dependent o n the oxygen transfer rate, which declined as the broth viscosity incr eased, accompanied by BC accumulation. Increasing the partial pressure of oxygen by sparging with oxygen-enriched air and/or raising the ope rating pressure improved the oxygen supply, while the agitation power required was lowered. Although the BC production rate was not affected by higher oxygen pressure, it was reduced as the operating pressure w as raised. The reduction in the production rate was considered to be d ue to the high carbon dioxide pressure, because carbon dioxide-enriche d air also reduced the BC production rate, while the reduction was can celed out by increasing the air flow rate.