Evaluation of microencapsulated silicone oils as oxygen carriers in the production of dihydroxyacetone by Gluconobacter oxydans

Two types of oxygen carrying particles were formed: a 200cs silicone oil microencapsulated within a nylon membrane, and a solid silicone elastomer microsphere. These oxygen carriers had mean diameters of 0.1 and 1 mm respectively. Free cell cultures of Gluconobacter oxydans performing a bioconversion of glycerol to dihydroxyacetone in a non-growth medium were supplied with oxygen solely from the oxygen carriers. The production of DHA by the culture was used as a bioprobe to evaluate the oxygen transfer capabilities of the oxygen carriers. Models of the reactor system were developed to describe the kinetic and mass transfer phenomena taking place. It was found that the oxygen carriers could supply a cell culture of 0.2 g...