Novel multiphase loop reactor with improved aeration enables foam-free rhamnolipid production by Pseudomonas putida

Research Square

Abstract

Abstract The novel multiphase loop reactor is a modified airlift reactor with an internal loop enabling continuous in situ liquid-liquid extraction. In this study, the reactor is applied for a microbial production of biosurfactants. The obligate aerobic bacterium Pseudomonas putida KT2440 was engineered for rhamnolipid production. Rhamnolipids are biosurfactants with strong foaming capabilities making cultivations in an aerated stirred tank fermenter challenging. The continuous removal of rhamnolipids via in situ liquid-liquid extraction can remedy this foam challenge, and thereby supports long-term cultivation and production. The initially designed multiphase loop reactor had an oxygen transfer rate, which was too low to meet the oxygen demand of the whole-cell biocatalyst, resulting in inefficient growth and production. A re-design of the sparger via 3D-printing enabled a raise in oxygen supply allowed rhamnolipid production at key performance indicators that matched stirred-tank reactor cultivations, but with the advantage of enabling continuous cultivation in the future. Concluding, we present the successful use of the multiphase loop reactor for rhamnolipid synthesis, highlighting its potential to become a new platform technology for intensified bioprocessing.

Authors 7

1. Maximilian von Campenhausen Aachen Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT) Chemical Process Engineering Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT), RWTH Aachen University

   Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   Chemical Process Engineering (AVT.CVT), RWTH Aachen University

   Chemical Process Engineering (AVT.CVT), RWTH Aachen University Till Tiso Institute of Applied Microbiology -iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology -ABBt, RWTH Aachen University

   Institute of Applied Microbiology -iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology -ABBt, RWTH Aachen University

   Institute of Applied Microbiology -iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology -ABBt, RWTH Aachen University Andreas Jupke

2. Philipp Demling Aachen Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT) Chemical Process Engineering

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology – ABBt, RWTH Aachen University

   Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   Chemical Process Engineering (AVT.CVT), RWTH Aachen University

   Chemical Process Engineering (AVT.CVT), RWTH Aachen University Till Tiso Institute of Applied Microbiology -iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology -ABBt, RWTH Aachen University

   Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT), RWTH Aachen University

   Institute of Applied Microbiology -iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology -ABBt, RWTH Aachen University Andreas Jupke

3. Patrick Bongartz Aachen Chemical Process Engineering Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT) Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Chemical Process Engineering (AVT.CVT), RWTH Aachen University

   Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   Chemical Process Engineering (AVT.CVT), RWTH Aachen University Till Tiso Institute of Applied Microbiology -iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology -ABBt, RWTH Aachen University

   Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT), RWTH Aachen University

   Institute of Applied Microbiology -iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology -ABBt, RWTH Aachen University

   Institute of Applied Microbiology -iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology -ABBt, RWTH Aachen University Andreas Jupke

4. Till Tiso Aachen Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology – ABBt, RWTH Aachen University

   Institute of Applied Microbiology -iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology -ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

5. Matthias Weßling Aachen Chemical Process Engineering DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials

   RWTH Aachen University · DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials

   Affiliation as printed

   Chemical Process Engineering (AVT.CVT), RWTH Aachen University

   Chemical Process Engineering (AVT.CVT), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   DWI Leibniz -Institute for Interactive Materials, 52074 Aachen, Germany

6. Lars M. Blank Aachen Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT) Chemical Process Engineering

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology – ABBt, RWTH Aachen University

   Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   Chemical Process Engineering (AVT.CVT), RWTH Aachen University

   Chemical Process Engineering (AVT.CVT), RWTH Aachen University Till Tiso Institute of Applied Microbiology -iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology -ABBt, RWTH Aachen University

   Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT), RWTH Aachen University

   Institute of Applied Microbiology -iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology -ABBt, RWTH Aachen University Andreas Jupke

7. Andreas Jupke Aachen Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT), RWTH Aachen University