Continuous co-production of biomass and bio-oxidized metabolite (sorbose) using Gluconobacter oxydans in a high-oxygen tension bioreactor

High-efficiency cell proliferation of Gluconobacter oxydans was carried out in a compressed oxygen supply and sealed bioreactor to co-produce biomass and corresponding metabolite (sorbose). Higher cell density of Gluconobacter oxydans was achieved by implementing high-oxygen tension supply strategy resulting into high sorbose production from bio-oxidation of sorbitol. The highest biomass of 8.8 g/L and highest sorbose production of 432.8 g/L were simultaneously obtained after 72 h of fed-batch operation. Moreover, continuous co-production of biomass and sorbose was successfully conducted with retaining 10% sorbitol fermentation broth as the seed of next stage culture. The key features of this bioprocess application would enable cost-competitive Gluconobacter oxydans industrial applications.