Fermentation Technology

Abstract

Immobilization of Selected Microbes at Some Selected Solid Supports for Enhanced Fermentation Process

Rukshika Shalani Hewawasam, Chandani Udawatte, Sisira Kumara Weliwegamage, Subramanium Sotheeswaran and Sanath Rajapakse

Immobilization of macro molecules (such as enzymes) and micro-organisms can be generally defined as a procedure leading to their restricted mobility. Advantages of immobilization include easy separation of the enzymes/cells from the product and reuse of the enzymes/cells. In this research coconut tree leaf sheath was used to immobilize selected microbes which were used in fermentation tecnology. Coconut tree leaf sheath contains cellulose fiber layers which have cross linking between them. Sacchromyces cerevisiae was used as the microbial type due to widespread use in fermentation process. Microbes were entrapped within cellulose layers. Coconut tree leaf sheath was found to be an effecient solid support for immobilization. Immobilized microbes can be reused for fresh fermentation media. Immobilization can be carried out utilizing naturally avavilable coconut tree leaf sheath as a solid support, it`s usage is very cost-effective and eco-froiendly method rather than using synthetic or semi synthetic solid supports.