Rotating discs bioreactor, a new tool for lipopeptides production

Abstract Microbial production of two biosurfactants, fengycin and surfactin, by Bacillus subtilis ATCC 21332 in a rotating discs bioreactor was studied. Simultaneous production of these lipopeptides was performed by free and cells immobilized on the surfaces of rotating discs. The aeration applied on surface allowed a non-foaming fermentation process and an important production of lipopeptides for low microbial growth in the culture medium. It was demonstrated that the selectivity of lipopeptides synthesis could be modified varying operating conditions and that the cells immobilization improved greatly fengycin synthesis. The maximal concentration of fengycin and surfactin obtained were 838 mg L −1 and 212 mg L −1 , respectively. The development of this bubble-less process could advance the scale-up of the fermenters for production of biosurfactants.