Culture Miniaturization of Lipase Production by Yarrowia lipolytica

The proposal to perform scale-down of culture systems (2 to 4 mL) could be more efficient for screen multiple formulations and operational conditions. For such, is important to evaluate if the kinetic parameters of a bioprocess are comparative to conventional lab-scale reactors. In the present study, the effects of different miniaturized systems were evaluated on growth and lipase production of Yarrowia lipolytica IMUFRJ 50682.Cultivations were conducted in a mini-scale version of Erlenmeyer flask of 10 mL (10EF); 24 deep-well microplate of 11 ml (24MTP/11 mL) and 24 deep-well microplate of 25 ml (24MTP/25 mL).Similar specific growth rate (μ) was observed between miniaturized cultivations (0.27 h-1). Different lipase productivities values were obtained, the highest was achieved in 10EF (181 U.L-1.h-1). Volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient (kLa) and maximum lipase production were improved with culture miniaturization in comparison with conventional shake-flasks. Bioreactor (1.5 L) cultivation showed similar growth kinetic, pH profile and kLa values, but an increase in the maximum productivity was observed. These finding showed the advantages of Y. lipolytica cultivations scale-down.These findings show the advantages of Y. lipolytica scale-down cultivations, and to perform scale-up for benchtop bioreactor directly from these miniaturized cultivations, without the need of gradual scale-up, representing a reduction in costs and working time. Taking into consideration the rare works about miniaturized cultivation with Y. lipolytica, this work opens the way to a better understanding of bioprocess and alternatives for process conduction.