Enzymatic Sorbitol Production with Zymomonas mobilis Immobilized in k-Carrageenan

The production of sorbitol by permeabilized cells of Zymomonas mobilis immobilized in $\kappa$-carrageenan was investigated. Cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide (CTAB) permeabilized cells were treated with glutaraldehyde prior to immobilization for cross-linking of enzymes, glucose-fructose oxidoreductase (GFOR) in cells. Rigidity of the immobilized beads was increased two-fold with 90$\%$ conversion efficiency by the additions of 40$\%$ (w/v) polyols (glycerol 25 g + propylene glycol 15 g) to 60$\%$ (w/v) distilled water containing 2.5$\%$ (w/v) $\kappa$-carrageenan as a final concentration, prior to immobilization. $\kappa$-Carrageenan beads entrapping permeabilized cells were dried to improve bead rigidity and storage stability. During s6mi-batch process for 72 h with dry beads, there was an improvement of the loss of enzyme activity (less than 10$\%$). In batch process, the kinetic results of $K_m.fructose$ value for the free cells, wet beads and dry $\kappa$-carrageenan beads were 71.7, 72.4 and 116.7 g/l, respectively. Higher productivity was obtained with two-stage continuous packed bed reactors with both wet and dry $\kappa$-carrageenan beads at 25.00 and 21.15 g/l/h, respectively, when measured at second stage.