PRODUCTION OF LIGNIN PEROXIDASE FROM PHANEROCHAETE-CHRYSOSPORIUM IN APACKED-BED BIOREACTOR WITH RECYCLING

The effect of mixing on the continuous production of lignin peroxidase (LIP) by Phanerochaete chrysosporium immobilized on polyurethane foam iii packed bed bioreactors was investigated. Two packed bed bioreacto rs with recycling ratios of 12:1 and 2:1, and one without recycling we re operated. Their hydraulic behaviour ranged from a complete mixing m ode to an almost ideal plug flow, respectively. Although continuous LI P production was attained in the all cases, the best results were obta ined in the bioreactor operated at the lower recycling rate (2:1). A l ikely explanation of the results based on the intrinsic efficiency of each bioreactor, and also on possible enzymatic repression of LIP prod uction is presented.