EVALUATION OF SPRAY CYCLE BIOREACTOR USING L-ALANINE DEGRADATION BY CANDIDA-MALTOSA

The oxygen-supply capability of a spray cycle reactor was evaluated by using it for oxidative degradation of L-alanine, The volumetric oxyge n transfer coefficient, k(L)a, was evaluated as a parameter for the ox ygen supply. The liquid circulation rate in the spray cycle reactor wa s represented in terms of the number of circulations. The k(L)a increa sed with the number of circulations, especially by stirring in the res ervoir vessel, reaching 272/h at 4.4/min of circulation numbers. This value was 1.4 times higher than that without stirring, The L-alanine d egradation rate increased as the cell growth was promoted, and as the circulation numbers increased. Finally, the spray cycle reactor was ev aluated by the specific degradation rate. This rate increased in propo rtion to the k(L)a, and was 8.8 times higher than that in the jar ferm enter, suggesting that the spray cycle reactor is superior for oxygen- demanding fermentation.