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Bioreactor Coupled with Electromagnetic Field Generator: Effects of Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Ethanol Production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Author(s) -
Perez Victor H.,
Reyes Alfredo F.,
Justo Oselys R.,
Alvarez David C.,
Alegre Ranulfo M.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
biotechnology progress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.572
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6033
pISSN - 8756-7938
DOI - 10.1021/bp070078k
Subject(s) - electromagnetic field , saccharomyces cerevisiae , ethanol , ethanol fuel , generator (circuit theory) , production (economics) , field (mathematics) , physics , chemistry , materials science , yeast , biochemistry , mathematics , power (physics) , thermodynamics , economics , quantum mechanics , macroeconomics , pure mathematics
The effect of extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields on ethanol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae using sugar cane molasses was studied during batch fermentation. The cellular suspension from the fermentor was externally recycled through a stainless steel tube inserted in two magnetic field generators, and consequently, the ethanol production was intensified. Two magnetic field generators were coupled to the bioreactor, which were operated conveniently in simple or combined ways. Therefore, the recycle velocity and intensity of the magnetic field varied in a range of 0.6–1.4 m s −1 and 5–20 mT, respectively. However, under the best conditions with the magnetic field treatment (0.9–1.2 m s −1 and 20 mT plus solenoid), the overall volumetric ethanol productivity was approximately 17% higher than in the control experiment. These results made it possible to verify the effectiveness of the dynamic magnetic treatment since the fermentations with magnetic treatment reached their final stage in less time, i.e., approximately 2 h earlier, when compared with the control experiment.