Production of β-galactosidase in a Batch Bioreactor Using Whey through Microbial Route – Characterization of Isolate and Reactor Model

Abstract

Whey was used as a source of isolation of bacterial strains, symbolized as, IB1, IB2 and IB3, capable of synthesizing β-galactosidase. The microbe labeled as IB1 was tested to be most tolerant against pH and temperature shocks, as well as, heavy metals. Subsequently, IB1 was identified as Bacillus safensis (JUCHE 1) by genetic information. In a later exercise, it was used for β-galactosidase production using whey through fermentative route. The initial concentration of substrate, i.e., lactose in microbial growth medium was varied ranging from of 5-50 g/L. It was found that the classical Monod kinetics and substrate inhibited Monod kinetics are able to describe the microbial growth kinetics at low (5-20 g/L), and high (>20 g/L) concentration ranges of lactose in growth medium respectively. Kinetics of β-galactosidase production followed the Monod incorporated modified Luedeking-Piret model and the Monod incorporated Luedeking-Piret model with substrate inhibition in the low, and high ranges of lactose concentration in growth medium respectively.