In this study, the disruption and protein release kinetics of Acetobacter p
eroxydans by ultrasonication was examined. The effects of acoustic power an
d the medium pH on the survival percent was investigated. An increase in th
e cell disruption with increasing acoustic power was observed. The most eff
ective disruption was achieved for 100 W acoustic power. When the pH of ult
rasonication medium was increased, the rate of disruption decreased. Within
the pH range of 3-10, the most effective value for the cell disruption was
determined to be 3. The effects of acoustic power and medium pH on the kin
etic constant, beta, which determines the pattern of failures according to
the equation proposed by Doulah were investigated. The value of rate consta
nt of the protein release was found to be 0.022 min(-1) using the first ord
er protein release kinetic equation proposed by Doulah. (C) 2000 Elsevier S
cience S.A. All rights reserved.