Methods for the Immobilization of Microbial Cells

Immobilized Biocatalysts

“…A comprehensive list of commercial support materials is given in [46]. A number of factors must be considered in the selection of a suitable carrier for large-scale use [98], [100], [103]:…”

“…Correct choice of the hydrophobicity -hydrophilicity balance of the support can alter the microenvironment by increasing the concentration of limiting substrate or by decreasing the concentration of inhibiting product in the vicinity of the biocatalyst [92], [103]. Poor diffusion and permeability into the carrier matrix and through the cell membrane limit the applicability of such biocatalyst systems to low molecular mass substrates or products.…”

Biocatalysis with Immobilized Cells

“…Specific problems must be solved to obtain the most suitable system for a particular biocatalysis application, and compromises made regarding certain requirements. For this reason, suggestions for numerous supports, matrices and procedures for cell immobilization have been documented (see reviews by Klein and Wagner, 1983;Mattiasson, 1983b;Fukui and Tanaka, 1984;Hartmeier, 1985 andTramper, 1985). The supports and matrices described in the recent publications fall into seven groups:…”

“…Supports and matrices for cell immobilization ideally should meet the following criteria (compare Klein and Wagner (1983) and Brodelius (1985a)):…”

“…In some fermenters and in waste treatment systems flocculation, pellet formation and surface attachment can be viewed as forms of immobilization. For formal definition, immobilized cell biocatalysts can be designated as 'cells which are physically confined or localized in a defined region or space with retention of their catalytic activities or selected portions thereof, for repeated and continuous use' (compare with Klein and Wagner, 1983).…”