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Methane as a carbon substrate for the production of microbial cells
Author(s) -
Hamer G.,
Hedén C.G.,
Carenberg C.O.
Publication year - 1967
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.260090406
Subject(s) - methane , substrate (aquarium) , carbon fibers , oxygen , explosive material , phase (matter) , nutrient , chemistry , bacterial growth , gas phase , bioreactor , environmental chemistry , chemical engineering , bacteria , materials science , biology , ecology , organic chemistry , genetics , composite number , engineering , composite material
The cultivation of aerobic, methane‐utilizing, microbial cells by submerged culture techniques, in an entirely mineral salts medium, with a view to their use as an edible protein source is discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the potentially explosive nature of gaseous mixtures containing methane and oxygen. The experiments described investigate if fully safe operation at all times, by oxygen concentration control, is possible in agitated and sparged batch fermentors. Appreciable wastage of methane is prevented by gaseous‐phase recirculation. It is concluded that fully safe operation is possible, cultures being able to grow exponentially without substrate limitation by the gaseous‐phase nutrients.