COIMMOBILIZED WHOLE CELLS OF PSEUDOMONAS-REPTILIVORA AND MICROCOCCUS-GLUTAMICUS IN CALCIUM ALGINATE GEL FOR THE PRODUCTION OF L-GLUTAMIC ACID

A novel method of coimmobilized whole cells of Pseudomonas reptilivora and Micrococcus glutamicus, entrapped in calcium alginate beads have been used for the production of L-glutamic acid in a single stage ferm entation process, using selected production medium enriched with gluco se as substrate. The results obtained were compared with the L-glutami c acid production by free cells of Micrococcus glutamicus and by mixed culture of Pseudomonas reptilivora and Micrococcus glutamicus. The yi eld of glutamic acid obtained with mixed culture is relatively more th an that the yield obtained with Micrococcus glutamicus alone. The prop erties of coimmobilized whole cells of Pseudomonas reptilivora and Mic rococcus glutamicus in calcium alginate gel matrix have been investiga ted thoroughly and compared with those of free cells under most suitab le conditions of fermentation.